her he was Sound and Heart-hole She reply'd 'T is very well you are so but all the young do not thus escape from Beauty and you may some time or other be Intrapt Oh cry'd he I defy the power of one while Heaven has distributed Variety to all Were you never in Love replyed Silvia Never said he that they call Love I have burnt and rav'd an Hour or two or so pursu'd and gaz'd and laid Sieges till I had overcome but what 's this to Love Did I ever make a second visit unless upon Necessity or Gratitude And yet and there he sigh'd and yet said he I saw a Beauty once upon the Tower that has ever since given me Torment At Bruxells said Silvia There replyed he she was the fairest Creature Heaven e're made such White and Read by Nature such a Hair such Eyes and such a Mouth all Youth and ravishing sweetness I pursu'd her to her Lodgings and all I could get was that she belonged to a young Noble Man who since has taken Orders From the Night I saw her I never left her Window but had Spies of all sorts who brought me in intelligence and a little after I found she had quitted the place with a new Lover which made me love and rave for her ten times more when I knew assuredly she was a Whore and how fine a one I had mist This call'd all the Blood to Silvia's Face and so confounded her she could not answer she knew it was her self of whom he spoke and that course word tho' innocently spoken or rather gayly express'd put her quite out of Countenance however she recover'd again when she considered they were not meant as rudenesses to her She lov'd him and was easie to pardon With such discourse they past the Evening till towards Bed-time and the young Spaniara who had took but little rest in three Nights before was for some repose and calling for his Chamber the Host besought him since they had the happiness the young French Gentleman and himself to be so good Friends that they would share a Bed together for intruth said he Sir you must sit up all Night else he replyed with all his Soul it was the most grateful proposal had been ever made him and Addressing himself to Silvia asked him if he would alow him that Blessing She blush'd extreamly at the question and hung down her Eyes and he laugh'd to see it Sir said Silvia I will give you my Bed for 't is all one to me to lye on a Bed or on the Chairs Why Sir said Alonzo I am too passionate an adorer of the Female Sex to incommode any of my own with Addresses nor am I so Nice but I can suffer a Man to lye by me especially so dear a Youth as your selffe at which he Embraced him in his Arms which did but the more raise Silva's Blushes who wish'd for what she dreaded With you Sir said she I could methinks be content to do what I do not use to do and fearing to betray her Sex forced a consent for either one or the other she was compell'd to do and with the assurance that he thought her what she seemed she chose to give her consent and they both went to Bed together to add to her deceit she being forced in her Sickness to cut off her Hair when she put off her Perriwig she discovered nothing of the Woman nor feared she any thing but her Breasts which were the roundest and the whitest in the World but she was long in undressing which to colour the Matter she suffered her Page to do who poor Lad was never in so trembling a condition as in that manner to be obliged to serve her where she discovered so many Charms he never before had seen but all such as might be seen with Modesty By that time she came to Bed Alonzo was fast asleep being so long kept waking and never so much as dreamt he had a Woman with him but she whose fears kept her waking had a thousand Agitations and Wishes so natural it is when Virtue has broke the bounds of Modesty to plunge in past all retreat and I believe there are very few who retire after the first Sin She considers her condition in a strange Country her Splendor declining her Love for Philander quite reduced to Friendship or hardly that she was young and eat and drank well had a World of Vanity that Food of desire that Fuel to Vice She saw this the Beautifullest Youth she imagin'd ever to have seen of Quality and Fortune able to serve her all these made her rave with a desire to gain him for a Lover and she imagined as all the vain and young do that tho no Charms had yet been able to hold him she alone had those that would her Glass had a thousand times told her so she compares him to Octavio and finds him in her opinion handsomer she was possest with some Love for Philander when he first Address'd to her and Octavio shar'd at best but half a Heart but now that she had lost all for Philander and Octavio and had a Heart to cast away or give to a new Lover it was like her Money she hated to keep to it and lavish'd it on any Trifle rather than hoard it or let it lie by 'T was a loss of time her Youth could not spare she after reflection resolved and when she had resolved she believ'd it done By a Candle she had by her to read a little Novel she had brought she Surveyed him often as curiously as Psyche did her Cupid and tho he slept like a meer Mortal he appeared as Charming to her Eyes as the wing'd God himself and 't is believed she wish'd he would awake and find by her Curiosity her Sex For this I know she durst no longer trust her self a Bed with him but got up and all the last part of the Night walk'd about the Room her Page lay in the Room with her by her order on the Table with a little Vallice under his Head which he carryed Silvia's Linen in she waked him and told him all her fears in a pleasant manner In the Morning Alonzo awakes and wonders to find her up so soon and reproach'd her for the unkindness new Protestations on both sides passing of eternal Friendship they both resolved for Bruxells but lest she should incounter Philander on the way who possible might be on visiting his Dutch Countess she desired him to ride on before and to suâ—fer him to lose the happiness of his Company till they met in Bruxells With much ado he consents and taking the Ring the Countess gave him from of his Finger Sir said he be pleas'd to wear this and if ever you need my Fortune or my Sword send it and in what part of the World soever I am I will fly to your Service Silvia returned him a little Ring set round with Diamonds that Philander in his woing time had given her
awe I shall receive it as I wou'd the sentence of the Gods and which I will no more resist than I wou'd the Thunderbolts of Iove or the revenge of angry Iuno For Madam my immense passion knows no medium between life and death and as I never had the presumption to aspire to the glory of the first I am not so abject as to fear I am wholly depriv'd of the glory of the last I have too long lain convicted extend your mercy and put me now out of pain You have often wreck'd me to confess my Promethian siâ— spaâ—e the cruel Vâ—lture of despair take him from my heart in pity and either by killing wordâ— or blasting Lightning from those refulgent eyes Pronounce the death of Madam Your admirng slave Foscariâ— To Silvia My everlasting Charmer I Am convinc'd and pleas'd my fears are vanish't and a Heaven of solid joy is open'd to my view and I have nothing now in prospect but Angel-brightness glittering Youth dazling Beauty charming Sounds and ravishing Touches and all around me ecstasies of pleasure unconceivable transports without conclusion Mahomet never fansied such a Heaven not all his Paradise promis'd such lasting felicity or ever provided there the recompense of such a Maid as Silvia such a bewitching Form such soft such glorious Eyes where the Soul speaks and dances and betrays Loves-secrets in every killing glance a Face where every motion every feature sweetly languishes a Neck all-tempting and her lovely Breast inviting presses from the eager Lips such Hands such clasping Arms so white so soft and slender no nor one of all his Heavenly enjoyments though promis'd years of fainting in one continued cestasie can make one moments joy with Charming Silvia Oh I am wrap't with bare imagination with much a vaster pleasure than any other dull appointment can dispence Oh thou blessing sent from Heaven to ease my toâ—ls of life thou sacred dear delight of my fond doating heart oh whither wilt thou lead me to what vast heights of Love into extremes as â—atal and as dangerous as those excesses were that rendred me so cold in your opinion Oh Silvia Silvia have a care of me manage my o'rejoy'd Soul and all its eager passions chide my fond heart be angry if I faint upon thy Bosom and do not with thy tender voice recall me a voice that kills outright and calls my fleeting Soul out of its habitation lay not such charming Lips to my cold Cheeks but let me lie extended at thy feet untouch'd unsigh't upon unpress'd with kisses Oh change those tender trembling words of Love into rough sounds and noises unconcern'd and when you see me dying do not call my Soul to mingle with thy sighs yet shoud'st thou bate one word one look or tear by Heaven I shou'd be mad oh never let me live to see declension in thy love no no my Charmer I cannot bear the least suppos'd decay in those dear fondnesses of thine and sure none e're became a Maid so well nor ever were receiv'd with adorations like to mine Pardon my adorable Silvia the rashness of my passion in this rancounter with Foscario I am satisfied he is too unhappy in your disfavour to merit the being so in mine but 't was â—ufficient I then saw a joy in his face a pleas'd gayety in his looks to make me think my rage reasonable and my quarrel just by the style he writes I dread his Sense less than his Person but you my lovely Maid have said enough to quit me of my sears for both the night comes on I cannot call it envious though it rob me of the light that shou'd assist me to finish this since it will more gloriously repay me in a happier place come on then thou blest retreat of Lovers I forgive thy interruptions here since thou wilt conduct to the Arms of Silvia the adoring Philander If you have any commands for me this Weeder of the Gardens whom I met going in thither will bring it back I wait in the Meadow and date this from the dear Primrose bank where 〈◊〉 have sat with Silvia To Philander After the happy Night 'T IS done yes Philander 't is done and after that what will not Love and grief oblige me to own to you Oh by what insensible degrees a Maid in love may arrive to say any thing to her Lover without blushing I have known the time the blest innocent time when but to think I lov'd Philander wou'd have cover'd my face with shame and to have spoke it wou'd have fill'd me with confusion have made me Tremble Blush and bend my guilty Eyes to Earth not daring to behold my Charming Conquerour while I made that bashfull confession though now I am grown bold in Love and I have known the time when being at Court and coming from the Presence being offer'd some officious hand to lead me to my Coach I have shrunk back with my aversion to your Sex and have conceal'd my hands in my Pockets to prevent their being touch'd a kiss wou'd turn my stomack and amorous looks though they wou'd make me vain gave me a hate to him that sent 'em and never any Mid resolv'd so much as I to tread the paths of honour and I had many precedents before me to make me carefull Thus I was armed with resolution pride and scorn against all Mankind but alas I made no defence against a Brother but innocently lay expos'd to all his attacks of Love and never thought it criminal till it kindled a new desire about me Oh that I shou'd not dy with shame to own it yeâ— see I say how from one soft degree to another I do not only confess the shamefull truth but act it too what with a Brother Oh Heavens a crime so monstrous and so new but by all thy Love by those surprising joys so lately experience'd I never will no no I never can repent it Oh incorrigible passion oh hardned love at least I might have some remorse some sighing after my poor departed honour but why shou'd I dissemble with the Powers divine that know the secrets of a Soul doom'd to eternal Love Yet I am mad I rave and tear my self traverse my guilty chamber in a disorder'd but a soft confusion and often opening the conscious curtains survey the print where thou and I were last night laid surveying it with a thousand tender sighs and kiss and press thy dear forsaken side imagin over all our solemn joys every dear transport all our ravishing repeated blisses then almost fainting languishing cry Philander oh my charming little God! then lay me down in the dear place you press'd still warm and fragrant with the sweet remains that thou hast left behind thee on the Pillow oh my Soul's joy my dear eternal pleasure what softness hast thou added to my heart within a few short hours but oh Philander if as l 've oft been told possession which makes Women fond and doting shou'd make thee cold and grow
with my unwearied passion Love on Philander if thou darst like me let 'em pursue me with their hate and vengeance let Prisons poverty and tortures seiâ—e me it shall noâ— takâ— one grain of love away from my resolv'd heart nor make me shed a tear of penitence for loving thee no Philander since I know what a ravishing pleasure 't is to live thine I will never quit the glory of dying also thy â—esario my dear is coming to be you Bail with Monsâ—eur the Count of I dy to 〈…〉 your suffering so Silvia Silvia To Silvia BElieve me charming Silvia I live not those hours I am absent from thee thou art my life my Soul and my eternal felicity while you believe this truth my Silvia you will not entertain a thousand fears if I but stay a moment beyond my appointed hour especially when Philander who is not able to support the thought that any thing should afflict his lovely Baby takes care from hour to hour to satisfie her tender doubting heart My dearest I am gone into the City to my Advocates my Tryal with Monsieur the Count your Father coming on to morrow and 't will be at least two tedious hours e're I can bring my adorable her Philander To Silvia I Was call'd on my dearest Châ—ld at my Advocates by Cesario there is some great business this evening debated in the Cabal whicâ— is at 〈◊〉 in the City 〈…〉 Count your Father for my Silvia I dy if yoâ— are taken lest the fright shou'd 〈…〉 I would have 〈…〉 this evening from those Lodgings lest the people who are of the Royal party shou'd be induc'd through malice or gain to discover thee I dare not come my self to wait on thee lest my being seen shou'd betray thee but I havâ— sent Brilljard whose zeal for thee shall be rewarded to conduct thee to a little house in the Fauxburgh S. Germans where lives a pretty Woman and Mistress to Chevalier Tomaso call'd Belinda a Woman of wit and discreet enough to understand what ought to be paid to a Maid of the quality and character of Silvia she already knows the stories of our loves thither I 'll come to thee and bring Cesario to supper as soon as the Cabal breaks up oh my Silvia I shall one day recompenso all thy goodness all thy bravery thy love and thy suffering sor thy eternal Lover and Slave Philander To Philander SO hasty I was to obey Philander's commands that by the unwearied care and industry of the faithfull Brilljard I went before three a clock disguis'd away to the place whither you order'd us and was well receiv'd by the very pretty young Woman of the house who has sense and breeding as well as beauty But oh Philander this flight pleases me not alas what have I done my fault is only love and that sure I shouâ—d boast as the most divine passion of the Soul no no Philander 't is not my love 's the criminal no nor the placing it on Philander the crime but 't is thy most unhappy circumstances thy being married and that was no crime to Heaven till man made laws and can laws reach to damnation if so curse on the fatal hour that thou wert married curse on the Priest that joyn'd ye and curst be all that did contribute to the undoing ceremony except Philander's Tongue that answer'd yes oh Heavens was there but one dear man of all your whole Creation that could Charm the Soul of Silvia and cou'd ye oh ye wise allâ— seeing Powers that knew my Soul cou'd ye give him away how had my innoceâ—c offended ye our hearts you did create for mutual love how came the dire mistake another wou'd have pleas'd the indifferent Mertilla's Soul as well but mine was fitted for no other man only Philander the ador'd Philander with that dear form that shape that charming face that hair thosâ— lovely speaking eyes that wounding softness in his tender voice had power to conquer Silvia and can this be a sin Oh Heavens can it must laws which man contriv'd for mere conveniency have power to alter the divine decrees at our Creation perhaps they argue to morrow at the bar that Mertilla was ordain'd by Heaven for Philander no no he mistook the Sister 't was pretty near he came but by a fatal errour was mistaken his hasty Youth made him too negligently stop before his time at the wrong Woman he shou'd have gaz'd a little farther on and then it had been Silvia's lot 't is fine divinity they teach that cry Marriages are made in Heaven folly and madness grown into grave custome shou'd an unheedy youth in heat of blood take up with the first convenient she that offers though he an heir to some grave Politician great and rich and she the outcast of the common stews coupled in height of wine and sudden lust which once allay'd and that the sober morning wakes him to see his errour he quits with shame the Jilt and owns no more the folly shall this be call'd a Heavenly conjunction were I in height of youth as now I am forc'd by my Parents oblig'd by interest and honour to marry the old deform'd diseas'd decrepid Count Antonio whose person qualities and principles I loath and rather than suffer him to consummate his Nuptials suppose I shou'd as sure I shou'd kill myself 't were blasphemy to lay this fatal marriage to Heavens charge curse on your nonâ—ense ye imposing Gown-men curse on your holy cant you may as well call Rapes and Murthers Treason and Robbery the acts of Heaven because Heaven suffers 'em to be committed is it Heavens pleasure therefore Heaven's decree a trick a wise device of Priests no more to make the nauseated tir'd out pair drag on the carefull business of life drudg for the dull got family with greater satisfaction because they 'r taught to think marriage was made in Heaven a mighty comfort that when all the joys of life are lost by it were it not nobler far that honour kept him just and that good nature made him reasonable provision daily experience proves to us no couple live with less content less ease than those they cry Heaven joins who is 't loves less than those that marry and where love is not there is hate and loathing at best disgust disquiet â—oise aâ—d repentance No Philander that 's a heavenly match when two Souls toucht with equal passion meet which is but rarely seen when willing vows with serious consideration are weigh'd and made when a true view is taken of the Soul when no base interest makes the hasty bargain when no conveniency or design of drudge or slave shall find it necessary when equal judgments meet that can esteem the blessings they possess and distinguish the good of eithers love and set a value on each others merits and where both understand to take and pay who find the beauty of each others minds and rate 'em as they ought whom not a formal ceremony binds
Last Part of this History shall most Faithfully relate The End of the Second Part. THE AMOURS OF PHILANDER AND SILVIA Being the Third and Last Part OF THE Love-Letters Between a NOBLE-MAN AND HIS SISTER LONDON Printed and are to be Sold by most Book-Sellers 1687. TO THE LORD SPENCER My Lord WHEN a New Book conies into the World the first thing we consider is the Dedication and according to the Quality and Humour of the Patron we are apt to make a Iudgment of the following Subject If to a States-man we belive it Gravâ— and Politick if a Gown-man Law or Divinity if to the Young and Gay Love and Gallantry By this Ride I believe the gentle Reader who finds your Lordship's Name prefix'd before this will make as many various Opinions of it as they do Characters of your Lordship whose youthful Sallies have been the business of so much Discourse and which according to the Relator's Sence or good Nature is either aggravated or excused though the Womans Quarrel to your Lordship has some more reasonable Foundation than that of your own Sex for your Lordsâ—ip being Form'd with all the Beauties and Graces of Man-kind all the Charms of Wit Youth and Sweetness of Disposition derived to you from an Illustrious Race of Hero's adapting you to noblest Love and Softness they cannot but complain on that mistaken Conduct of â—ours that so lavishly deals out those agreeable Attractions Squandering away that Youth and Time on many which might be more advantageously dedicated to some one of the Fair and by a Liberty which they call not being Discreet enough robb 'em of all the Hopes of Conquest over that Heart which they believe can fix no where they cannot carress you into Tameness or if you sometimes appear so they are still upon their Guard with you for like a Young Lyon you are ever apt to leap into your Natural Wildness the Greatness of your Soul disdaining to be conâ—ined to lazy Repose tho the Delicacy of your Person and Constitution so absolutely require it your Lordship not being made for Diversions so rough and fatigueing as those your active Mind would impose upon it Your Lordship is placed in so Glorious a Station the Son of so Great a Father as renders all you do more perspicuous to the World than the Actions of common Men already the advantages of your Birth have drawn all Eyes upon you and yet more on those coming Greatnesses to which you were born if Heaven preserves your Lordship amidst the too vigorous Efforts and too dangerous Adventures which a too brisk Fire in your Noble Blood a too forward desire of gaining Fame daily exposes you to and will unless some force confine your too impatient Bravery shorten those Days which Heaven has surely designed for more Glorious Actions for according to all the Maxims of the Iudging Wise the little Extravagancies of Youth accomplish and perfect the Riper Years 'T is this that makes indulgent Parents permit those Sparks of Fire that are Gleaming in Young Hearts to kindle into a Flame knowing well that the Consideration and Temperament of a few more Years will regulate it to that just degree where the noble and generous Spirit should â—ix it self And for this we have had the Examples of some of the greatest Men that ever adorned History My Lord I presume to lay â—t your Lordship's Feet an Illustrious Youth the unhappy Circumstances of whose Life ought to be Written in lasting Characters of all Languages for a President to succeeding Ages of the Misfortune of â—eedless Love and â— too Early Thirst of Glory for in him your Lordship will find the fatal Effects of great Courage without Conduct Wit without Discretion and a Greatness of Mind without the steady Vertues of it so that from a Prince even ador'd by all by an imprudence that too often attendss the Great and Young and from the most exhalted Height of Glory mis-led by false notions of Honour and falser Friends fell the most pityed Object that ever was abandoned by Fortune I hope no One will imagine I intend this as a Parallel between your Lordship and our mistaken brave Vnfortunate since your Lordship hath an unquestioned and hereditary Loyalty which nothing can deface born from a Father who has given the World so evident Proofs that no fear of threatned danger can separate his useful Service and Duties from the Interest of his Royal and God-like Master which he pursues with an undaunted Fortitude in disdain of Phanatical Censures and those that want the Bravery to do a just Action for fear of future Turns of State And such indeed is your true Man of Honour and as such I doubt not but your Lordship will acquit your self in all times and on all occasions Pardon the Liberty my Zeal for your Lordship has here presumed to take since among all those that make Vows and Prayers for your Lordship's Health and Preservation none offers them more devoutly than My LORD Your Lordships Most Humble and Obedient Servant A. B. THE AMOURS OF PHILANDER and SILVIA OCTAVIO the Brave the Generous and the Amorous having left Silvia absolutely resolv'd to give her self to that doting fond Lover or rather to sacrifice her self to her Revenge that unconsidering Unfortunate whose Passion had expos'd him to all the unreasonable Effects of it return'd to his own House wholly transported with his happy Success He thinks on nothing but vast coming Joys Nor did one kind Thought direct him back to the evil Consequences of what he so hastily pursu'd he reflects not on her Circumstances but her Charms not on the Infamy he should espouse with Silvia but of those ravishing Pleasures she was capable of giving him he regards not the Reproaches of his Friends but wholly abandon'd to Love and youthful Imaginations gives a Loose to young Desire and Fancy that deludes him with a thousand soft Ideas He reflects not that his gentle and easy Temper was most unfit to joyn with that of Silvia which was the most haughty and humorous in Nature for tho' she had all the Charms of Youth and Beauty that are conquering in her Sex all the Wit and Insinuation that even surpasses Youth and Beauty yet to render her Character impartially she had also abundance of disagreeing Qualities mixt with her Perfections She was Imperious and Proud even to Insolence Vain and Conceited even to Folly she knew her Vertues and her Graces too well and her Vices too little she was very Opinionated and Obstinate hard to be convinced of the falsest Argument but very positive in her fancied Judgment Abounding in her own Sense and very critical on that of others Censorious and too apt to charge others with those Crimes to which she was her self addicted or had been guilty of Amorously inclin'd and indiscreet in the Management of her Amours and constant rather from Pride and Shame than Inclination fond of catching at every trifling Conquest and lov'd the Triumph tho' she hated the
in this Extremity she fears she has by her ill Management lost both her Lovers and she was in a Condition of needing every Aid They who knew the excellent Temper of Octavio and knew him to be the most considerable Lover of the two besought her as the best Expedient she could have Recourse to to visit Octavio who could not but take it kindly and they did not doubt but she had so absolute a Power over him that with a very little Complaisance towards him she would retrieve that Heart her ill Luck had this Morning forfeited and which they protested they knew nothing of nor how he got into her Chamber This Advice she took but because Octavio was carried away dead she feared and swounded with the Fear that he was no longer in the World or at least that he would not long be so However she assum'd her Courage again at the Thought that if he did dy she had an absolute Possession of all his Fortune which was to her the most considerable part of the Man or at least what rendered him so very agreeable to her However she thought fit to send her Page which she did in an hour after he was carried home to see how he did who brought her word that he was reviv'd to Life and had commanded his Gentleman to receive no Messages from her This was all she could learn and what put her into the greatest Extremity of Grief She after sent to Philander and found him much the better of the two but most infinitely incensed against Silvia This also added to her Dispair yet since she found she had not a Heart that any Love or loss of Honour or Fortune could break but on the contrary a Rest of Youth and Beauty that might oblige her with some Reason to look forward on new Lovers if the old must depart The next thing she resolv'd was to do her utmost Indeavour to retrieve Octavio which if unattainable she would make the best of her Youth She sent therefore notwithstanding his Commands to suffer none of her People to come and see him to inquire of his Health and in four Days finding he received other Visits she dress'd herself with all the Advantages of her Sex and in a Chair was carried to his Aunt 's where he lay The good Lady not knowing but she might be that Person of Quality whom she knew to be extreamly in Love with her Nephew and who liv'd at the Court of Bruxells and was Neece to the Governour carried her to his Chamber where she left her as not willing to be a Witness of a Visit she knew must be supposed Incognito It was Evening and Octavio was in Bed and at the first sight of her his Blood grew disordered in his Veins flush'd in his pale Face and burnt all over his Body and he was near to swounding as he lay She approach'd his Bed with a Face all set for Languishment Love and Shame in her Eyes and Sighs that without speaking seem'd to tell her Grief at his Disaster she sate or rather fell on his Bed as unable to support the sight of him in that Condition she in a soft manner seiz'd his burning Hand grasp'd it and sigh'd then put it to her Mouth and suffered a Tear or two to fall upon it and when she would have spoke she made her Sobs resist her Words and left nothing unacted that might move the tender Hearted Octavio to that degree of Passion she wished A hundred times fain he would have spoke but still his rising Passion choak'd his Words and still he feared they would prove either too soft and kind for the Injuries he had received or too rough and cold for so delicate and charming a Creature and one who in spight of all those Injuries he still adored She appear'd before him with those Attractions that never fail'd to conquer him with that Submission and Pleading in her modest bashful Eyes that even gave his the Lye who had seen her Perfidy Oh! what should he do to keep that Fire from breaking forth with Violence which she had so throughly kindled in his Heart how should that excellent good Nature assume an unwonted Sullenness only to appear what it could not by Nature be He was all Soft and Sweet and if he had had Pride he knew also how to make his Pleasure and his Youth lov'd Love above all the other little Vanities that attend it and was the most proper to it Fain he would palliate her Crime and considers in the Condition she was she could not but have some Tenderness for Philander that it was no more than what before past 't was no new Lover that came to kindle new Passions or to approach her with a new Flame but a Decliner who came and was received with the Dregs of Love with all the cold Indifference imaginable This he would have perswaded himself but dares not till he hear her speak and yet fears she should not speak his Sense and this Fear makes him sighing break Silence and he cry'd in a soft Tone Ah! why too lovely Fair why do you come to trouble the Repose of my dying Hours Will you cruel Maid pursue me to my Grave shall I not have one lone Hour to ask Forgiveness of Heaven for my Sin of loving thee The greatest that ever loaded my Youth and yet alas the least repented yet Be kind and trouble not my Solitude depart with all the Trophies of my Ruine and if they can add any Glory to thy future Life boast 'em all over the Vniverse and tell what a deluded Youth thou hast undone Take take fair Deceiver all my Industry my right of Birth my thriving Parents have been so long a geting to make me happy with take the useless Trifle and lavish it on Pleasure to make thee gay and fit for luckier Lovers Take that best part of me and let this worst alone 't was that first won the dear Confession from thee that drew my Ruin on for which I hate it and wish myself born a poor Cottage Boor where I might never have seen thy tempting Beauty but liv'd for ever bless'd in Ignorance At this the Tears ran from his Eyes with which the soften'd Silvia mixed her welcome Stream and as soon as she could speak she reply'd with half Cunning and half Love for still there was too much of the first mingled with the last Oh my Octavio to what Extremities are you resolved to drive a poor Vnfortunate who even in the height of Youth and some small stock of Beauty am reduced to all the Miseries of the Wretched Far from my noble Parents lost to Honour and abandoned by my Friends a helpless Wanderer in a strange Land exposed to Want and perishing and had no Sanctuary but thyself thy dear thy precious self whom Heaven had sent in Mercy to my Aid and thou at last by a mistaken turn of miserable Fate hast taken that dear Aid away At this she fell weeping
weak alliance of Brother and Sister has render'd so criminal but he that adores Silvia shou'd do it at an uncommon rate 't is not enough to sacrifice a single heart to give you a simple Passion your Beauty shou'd like it self produce wondrous effects it shou'd force all obligations all laws all tyes even of Natures self You my lovely Maid were not born to be obtain'd by the dull methods of ordinary loving and 't is in vain to presâ—ribe me measures and oh much more in vain to urge the nearness of our Relation What Kin my charming Silvia are you to me No tyes of blood forbid my Passion and what 's a Ceremony impos'd on man by custome what is it to my Divine Silvia that the Priest took my hand and gave it to your Sister what Alliance can that create why shou'd a trick devis'd by the wary old only to make provision for posterity tye me to an eternal slavery No no my charming Maid t is nonsense all let us born for mightier joys scorn the dull beaten road but let us love like the first race of men nearest allied to God promiscuously they lov'd and possess'st Father and Daughter Brother and Sister met and reap'd the joys of Love without controul and counted it Religious coupling and 't was encourag'd too by Heav'n it self Therefore start not too nice and lovely Maid at shadows of things that can but frighten fools Put me not off with these delays rather say you but dissembl'd Love all this while than now 't is born to let it dy again with a poor fright of nonsense A fit of Honour a fantome imaginary and no more no no represent me to your soul more favourably think you see me languishing at your feet breathing out my last in sighs and kind reproaches on the pityless Silvia reflect when I am dead which will be the more afflicting object the Ghost as you are pleas'd to call it of your Murder'd Honour or the pale and bleeding one of The lost Philander I have liv'd a whole day and yet no Letter from my Silvia To Philander OH why will you make me own oh too importunate Philander with what regret I made you promise to preferr my Honour before your Love I confess with blushes which you might then see kindling in my face that I was not at all pleas'd with the Vows you made me to endeavour to obey me and I then even wisht you wou'd obstinately have deny'd obedience to my just commands have pursu'd your criminal flame and have left me raving on my undoing For when you were gone and I had leasure to look into my heart alas I â—ound whether you oblig'd or not whether Love or Honour were prefer'd I unhappy I was either way inevitably lost Oh what pityless God fond of his wondrous power made us the objects of his Almighty vanity oh why were we two made the first presidents of his new â—ound revenge for sure no Brother ever lov'd a Sister with so criminal a flame before At least my unexperienc'd innocence ne're met with so fatal a story And 't is in vain my too charming Brother to make me insensible of our Alliance to perswade me I am a stranger to all but your eyes and Soul Alas your fatally kind Industry is all in vain You grew up a Brother with me the title was fixt in my heart when I was too young to understand your subtle distinctions and there it thâ—iv'd and spread and 't is now too late to transplant it or alter its Native Property Who can graâ—t a flower on a contrary stalk The Rose will bear no Tulips nor the Hyacinth the Poppy no more will the Brother the name of Lover O spoil not the natural sweetness and innocence we now retain by an endeavour fruitless and destructive no no Philander dress your self in what Charms you will be powerfull as Love can make you in your soft argument yet oh yet you are my Brother still But why oh cruel and eternal Powers was not Philander my Lover before you destin'd him a Brother or why being a Brother did you malicious and spightful powers destinâ— him a Lover oh take either title from him or from me a life which can 〈…〉 since your cruel laws permit it not for Philander nor his to bless the now Unfortunate Silvia Wednesday Morning To Philander AFter I had dismist my Page this morning with my Letter I walk'd fill'd with sad soft thoughts of my Brother Philander into the Grove and commanding Mâ—linda to retire who only attended me I threw my self down on that bank of grass where we last disputed the dear but fatal business of our souls Where our prints that invited me still remain on the prest greens There with Ten Thousand sighs with remembrance of the tender minutes we past then I drew your last Letter from my Bosome and often kist and often read it over but oh who can conceive my Torment when I came to that fatal part of it where you say you gave your hand to my sister I found my soul agitated with a Thousand different passions but all insupportable all mad and raving sometimes I threw my self with fury on the ground and prest my panting heart to the cold earth then rise in rage and tear my hair and hardly spare that face that taught you first to love then fold my wretched Arms to keep down rising Sighs that almost rend my breast I traverse swiftly the conscious Grove with my distracteâ— show'ring eyes directed in vain to pityless Heaven the lovely â—ilent shade favouring my complaints I cry alowd oh God! Philander's Married the lovely charming thing for whom I languish is Married That fatal word 's enough I need not add to whom Married's enough to make me curse my Birth my Youth my Beauty and my eyes that first betray'd me to the undoing object Curse on the Charms you 've flatter'd for every fancy'd Grace has help'd my ruine on now like flowers that wither unseen and unpossest in shades they must dy and be no more they were to no end created since Philander's Married Married oh fate oh Hell oh torture and confusion tell me not 't is to my Sister that addition's needless and vain To make me eternally wretched there needs no more than that Philander's Married than that the Priest gave your hand away from me to another and not to me tir'd out with life I need no other pasport than this Repetition Philander's Married 't is that alone is sufficient to lay in her cold Tomb The wretched and despairing SILVIA Wednesday night Bellfonâ— To Silvia TWice last night oh unfaithful and unloving Silvia I sent my Page to the old place for Letters but he return'd the object of my rage because without the least remembrance from my fickle Maid In this Torment unable to hide my disorder I suffer'd my self to be laid in bed where the restless torments of the night exceeded those of the day and are not
even by the languisher himself to be exprest but the returning light brought a short slumber on its Wings which was interrupted by my attoneing Boy who brought Two Letters from my adorable Silvia He wak'd me from Dreams more agreeable than all my watchful hours cou'd bring for they are all tortur'd And even the softest mixt with a Thousand despairs difficulties and disappointments but these were all love which gave a loose to joys undeny'd by Honour and this way my charming Silvia you shall be mine in spight of all the Tyrannies of that cruel hinderer Honour appears not my Silvia within the close drawn Curâ—ains in shades and gloomy light the fantôm frights not but when one beholds its blushes when it s attended and adorn'd and the Sun sees its false Beauties in silent Groves and grotto's dark Alcoves and lonely recesses all its formalities are laid aside 't was then and there methought my Silvia yielded with a faint struggle and a soft resistance I heard her broken sighs her tender whispering Voice that trembling cry'd Oh can you be so cruel Have you the heart Will you undo a Maid because she loves you Oh will you ruine me because you may My faithless My unkind then sigh't and yielded and made me happier than a Triumphing God! but this was still a Dream I wak'd and sigh't and found it vanish all But oh my Silvia your Letters were substantial pleasure and pardon your Adorer if he tell you even the disorder you express is infinitly dear to him since he knows it all the effects of Love Love my soul which you in vain oppose pursue it Dear and call it not undoing or else explain your fear tell me what your soft your trembling heart gives that cruel title to is it undoing to Love and love the Man you say has Youth and Beauty to justifie that Love a man that adores you with so submissive and perfect a resignation a man that did not only Love first but is resolv'd to dy in that agreeable flame in my Creation I was form'd for Love and destin'd for my Silvia and she for her Philander And shall we can we disappoint our Fate no my soft Charmer our souls were toucht with the same shafts of Love before they laid a being in our Bodies and can we contradict Divine Decrees Or is 't undoing Dear to bless Philander with what you must some time or other sacrifice to some hated loath'd object for Silvia can never love again and are those Treasures for the dull conjugal Lover to rifle was the beauty of Divine shape created for the cold Matrimonial imbrace and shall the eternal joys that Silvia can dispence be return'd by the clumsey Husband 's careless forc'd insipid duty 's oh my Silvia shall a Husband whose insensibility will call those Raptures of joy those Heavenly Blisses the drudgery of life shall he I say receive ' em While your Philander with the very thought of the excess of pleasure the least possession wou'd afford saints o're the Paper that brings you here his eternal Vows Oh where my Silvia ly's the undoing then my Quality and Fortune are of the highest rank amongst men My Youth gay and fond my Soul all soft all Love and all Silvia's I adore her I languish for her I am sick of Love and sick of Life till she yields she is all mine You say my Silvia I am Married and there my happyness is Shipwreck'd but Silvia I deny it and will not have you think it no my Soul was Married to yours in its first Creation and only Silvia is the Wife of my sacred my everlasting Vows of my solemn considerate thought of my ripen'd Judgment my mature considerations The rest are all repented and forgot like the hasty folly 's of unsteady Youth like Vows breath'd in Anger and dy Perjur'd as soon as vented and unregarded either of Heav'n or Man Oh why shou'd my Soul suffer for ever why eternal pain for the unheedy short-liv'd sin of my unwilling Lips besides this fatal thing call'd Wife this unlucky Sister this Mertilla this stop to all my Heav'n that breeds such breeds such fatal differences in our 〈◊〉 Affairs this Mertilla I say first broke her Marriage Vows to me I blame her not norâ— is it reasonable I shou'd she saw the young Cesario and Lov'd him Cesario whom the envying World in spight of prejudice must own has unresistable Charms that Godlike form that sweetness in his face that softness in his Eyes and delicate Mouth and every Beauty besides that Women 〈…〉 and Men envy That lovely composition of Man and Angel with the addition of his eternal Youth and Illustrious Birth was form'd By Heav'n and Nature for universal Conquest and who can love the charming Hero at a cheaper rate than being undone And she that wou'd not venture Fame Honour and a Marriage Vow for the Glory of the young Cesario's heart merits not the noble Victim oh wou'd I cou'd say so much for the young Philander who wou'd run a Thousand times more hazards of life and Fortune for the Adorable Silvia than that amorous Hero ever did for Mertilla though from that Prince I learn't some of my disguises for my thefts of Love for he like Iove courted in several shapes I saw 'em all and suffer'd the delusion to pass upon me for I had seen the lovely Silvia yes I had seen her and I lov'd her too But Honour kept me yet Master of my Vows but when I knew her false when I was once confirm'd When by my own Soul I found the dissembl'd Passion of â—er's when she cou'd no longer hide the blushes or the paleness that seiz'd at the approaches of my disorder'd â—ival when I saw Love dancing in her eyes and her false heart beat with nimble motions and soft trembling seize every 〈◊〉 at the approach or touch of the Royal Lover then I thought my self no longer oblig'd to conceal my flame for Silvia nay e're I broke silence e're I discover'd the hidden Treasure of my heart I made her falshood plaineâ— yet Even the time and place of the deaâ— assignations I discover'd certainty happy certainty broke the dull heavy chain and I with joy submitted to my shameful freedome and caress'd my generous Rival nay and by Heav'n I lov'd him for 't pleas'd at the resemblance of our Souls for we were secret Lovers both but more pleas'd that he Lov'd Mertilla for that made way to my passion for the adorable Silvia Let the dull hot-brain'd jealous fool upbraid me with cold Patience Let the fond Coxcomb whose Honour depends on the frail Marriage Vow reproach me or tell me that my Reputation depends on the feeble constanâ—y of â— Wife perswade me 't is Honour to fight for 〈◊〉 and unvalâ—â—'d Prize and that because my Rival has taken leave to Cucâ—old me I shall give him leave to kill me too Unreasonable nonsense grown to custome No by Heav'n I had rather 〈◊〉 shou'd be false as she
fierceness and instead of drawing me on wou'd lessen my esteem if any such deceit were capable to harbour in the Heart of Silvia but she is all Divine and I am mistaken in the meaning of what she say's Oh my adorable think no more on that dull false thing a Wife let her be banisht thy thoughts as she is my Soul let her never appear though but in a Dream to â—right our solid joys our true happiness no let us look forward to Pleasures vast and unconfin'd to coming transports and leave all behind us that contributes not to that Heav'n of Bliss Remember oh Silvia that five tedious days are past since I â—igh't at your dear feet and five days to a Man so madly in Love as your Philander is a tedious Age 't is now â—ix a Clock in the Morning Brilljard will be with you by Eight and by Ten I may have your permission to see you and then I need not say how soon I will present my self before you at Bellfont for Heaven's sake my eternal Blessing if you design me this happiness contrive it so that I may see no body that belongs to Bellfont but the fair the lovely Silvia for I must be more moments with you than will be convenient to be taken notice of leâ—t they suspect our business to be Love and that discovery yet may ruine us Oh I will delay no longer my Soul 's impatient to see you I cannot live another Night without it I dy by Heav'n I languish for the appointed hour you will believe when you see my languid Face and dying Eyes how much and great a sufferer in Love I am My Soul's Delight You may perhaps deny me from your fear but oh do not though I ask a mighty blessing Silvia's Company alone silent and perhaps by Dark Oh though I faint with the thought only of so blest an opportunity yet you shall secure me by what Vows what imprecations or ty's you please bind my busie hands blind my ravish't eyes command my Tongue do what you will but let me hear your Angels Voice and have the transported joy of throwing my self at your feet and if you please give me leave a man condemn'd eternally to Love to plead a little for my Life and passion let me remove your fears and though that mighty Task never make me intirely happy at least 't will be a great satisfaction to me to know that 't is not through my own fault that I am the Most Wretched PHILANDER I have order'd Brilljarâ— to 〈◊〉 your Commands at Dorillus his Cottage that he may not be seen at Bellfont resolve to see me to Night or I shall 〈◊〉 without order and injure both My dear Damn'd Wife is dispos'd of at a Ball Caesario 〈◊〉 to Night the opportunity will be lâ—ckey not that I fear her jealousie but the effects of it To Philander I Tremble with the apprehension of what you ask how shall I comply with your fond desires My Soul bodes some dire effect of this bold enterprise for I must own and blush while I do own it that my Soul yields obedience to your soft request and even whilst I read your Letter was diverted with the contrivance of seeing you For though as my Brother you have all the freedoms imaginable at Bellfont to entertain and walk with me yet 't would be difficult and prejudical to my Honour to receive you alone any where without my Sister and cause a suspicion which all about me now are very far from conceiving except Melinda my faithful confident and too fatal Councellor and but for this fear I know my charming Brother three little Leagues shou'd not five long days separaâ—e Philander from his Silvia But my lovely Brother since you beg it so earnesty and my heart consents so easily I must pronounce my own Doom and say Come my Philander whither Love and soft desire invites you and take this direction in the management of this mighty affair I wou'd have you as soon as this comes to your hands to hast to Dorillus's Cottage without your Equipage only Brilljard whom I believe you may trust both from his own discretion and your vast bounty's to him wait there till you receive my commands and I will retire betimes to my Apartment pretending not to be well and as soon as the Evenings obscurity will permit Melinda shall let you in at the Garden Gate that is next the â—rove unseen and unsuspected but oh thou powerful Charmer have a care I trust you with my all my dear dear my precious Honour guard it well for oh I fear my forces are too weak to stand your shock of Beauties you have Charms enough to justify my yielding but yet by Heav'n I wou'd not for an Empire but what 's dull Empire to Almighty Love the God subdues the Monarch 't is to your strength I trust for I am a feeble Woman a Virgin quite disarm'd by two fair eyes an Angels Voice and form but yet I 'll dy before I 'll yield my Honour no though our unhappy Family have met reproach from the imagin'd levity of my Sister 't is I 'll redeem the bleeding Honour of our Family and my great Parents Vertues shall shine in me I know it for if it passes this Test if I can stand this Temptation I 'm proof against all the World but I conjure you aid me if I need it If I incline but in a Languishing look if but a wish appear in my eyes or I betray consent but in a Sigh take not oh take not the opportunity lest when you 've done I grow raging mad and discover all in the wild fit oh who wou'd venture on an enemy with such unequal force what hardy fool wou'd hazard all at Sea that sees the rising Storm come rouling on who but fond Woman giddy heedless Woman wou'd thus expose her Vertue to Temptation I see I know my danger yet I must permit it Love soft bewitching Love will have it so that cannot deny what my â—eebler Honour forbids and though I tremble with fear yet Love suggests 't will be an Age to Night I long for my undoing for oh I cannot stand the batteries of your eyes and tongue these fears these conflicts I have a Thousand times a day 't is pitiful sometimes to see me on one hand a Thousand Cupids all gay and smiling present Philander with all the Beauties of his sex with all the softness in his looks and Language those Gods of Love can inspire with all the Charms of youth adorn'd bewitching all and all transporting on the other hand a poor lost Virgin languishing and undone sighing her willing rape to the deaf shades and â—â—â—â—tains filling the Woods with cry's swelling the Murmering Rivolets with tears her noble Parents with a generous Rage reviling her and her befray'd Sister loading her bow'd head with curses and reproaches and all about her looking forlorn and sad Judg oh Judg my adorable Brother of the vastness of
a destructive storm but like the anger'd Sea which pants and heaves and retains still an uneasie motion long after the rude winds are appeas'd and hush'd to silence My heart beats still and heaves with the sensible remains of the late dangerous tempest of my mind and nothing can absolutely calm me but the approach of the all-powerful Philander though that thought possesses me with ten thousand fears which I know will vanish all at thy appearance and assume no more their dreadful shapes till thou art gone again bring me then that kind cessation bring me my Lysander and set me above the thoughts of Cares Frights or any other thoughts but those of tender Love hast then thou charming object of my eternal wishes of my new desires hast to my Arms my Eyes my Soul But oh be wondrous careful there do not betray the easie Maid that trusts thee amidst all her sacred store 'T is almost dark and my Mother is retir'd to her Chamber my Father to his Cabinet and has left all that Apartment next the Garden wholly without Spies I have by trusty Silvia sent you a Key Mâ—linda got made to the Door which leads from the Garden to the back-Stairs to my Apartment so carefully lock'd and the original Key so closely guarded by my jealous Father that way I beg you to come a way but too well known to Lysander and by which he has made many an escape to and from Mertilla Oh Damn that thought what makes it torturing me Let me â—hange it for those of Lysander the advantage will be as great as â—artering Hell for Heaven haste then Lysander But what need I bid thee Love will lend thee his Wings thou who commandest all his Artillery put 'em on and fly to thy Languishing SILVIA O I faint with the dear thought of thy Approach To the Charming Silvia WIth much ado with many a Sigh a panting heart and many a Languishing look back towards happy Bellfont I have recover'd Dorillus his Farm where I threw me on a Bed and lay without motion and almost without life for two hours 'till at last through all my Sighs my great Concern my Torment my Love and Rage broke silence and burst into all the different complaâ—nts both soft and mad by turns that ever possest a soul extravagantly seiz'd with frantick Love Ah Silvia what did I not say How did I not Curse and who except my Charming Maid For yet my Silvia is a Maid Yes yes ye Envying Power she is and yet the sacred and inestimable treasure was offer'd a trembling victim to the o'rejoy'd and fancy'd Deity for then and there I thought my self happier than a triumphing God but having overcome all difficulties all the fatigues and toyles of Loves long Sieges Vanquisht the mighty Fantôm of the â—air the Giant Honour and routed all the numerous Host of Womens little Reasonings past all the bounds of peevish Modesty Nay even all the loose and silken Counterscarps that fenc'd the sacred Fort and nothing stop'd my glorious pursuit Then then ye Gods just then by an over transport to fall just fainting before the surrendering Gates unable to receive the yielding treasure Oh Silvia what Demon malicious at my Glory seiz'd my vigor What God envious of my mighty joy render'd me ashameful object of his Raillery Snatcht my till then never failing power and left me dying on thy Charming Bosom Heavens how I lay Silent with wonder rage and extasy of Love unable to complain or rail or storm or seek for ease but with my sighs alone which made up all my breath my mad desires remain'd but all unactive as Age or Death it self as cold and feeble as unfit for joy as if my Youthful fire had long been past or Silvia had never been blest with Charms Tell me thou wondrous perfect Creature tell me where lay the hidden Witchcraft Was Silvia's Beauty too Divine to mix with Mortal Joys Ah no 't was Ravishing but Humane all Yet sure 't was so approaching to Divinity as chang'd my Fire to Awfull Adoration and all my wanton heat to reverend Contemplation But this is nonsense all 't was something more that gave me rage despair and torments insupportable No 't was no dull Devotion tame Divinity but mortal killing Agony unlucky disappointment unnatural impotence Oh I am lost enchanted by some Magick Spell Oh what can Silvia say What can she think of my sond passion She 'll swear 't is all a cheat I had it not No it could not be such Tales I 've often heard as often laught at too of disappointed Lovers wou'd Silvia wou'd believe as sure she may mine was excess of Passion What! my Silvia being arriv'd to all the joy of Love just come to reap the glorious recompence the full reward the Heaven for all my sufferings do I lye gazing only and no more A dull a feeble unconcern'd Admirer Oh my eternal shame Curse on my Youth give me ye Powers Old Age for that has some excuse but Youth has none 't is Dullness Stupid Insensibility Where shall I hide my head when this lewd Story 's told When it shall be confirm'd Philander the Young the Brisk and Gay Philander who never fail'd the Woman he scarce wisht for never baâ—k'd the Amorous conceated Old nor the ill-favour'd Young yet when he had extended in his Arms the Young the Charming Fair and Longing Silvia the untouch'd unspotted and till then unwishing Lovely Maid yielded defenceless and unguarded all he wanted power to seize the trembling Prey Defend me Heaven from Madness Oh Silvia I have reflected on all the little circumstances that might occasion this distaster and damn me to this degree of coldness but I can fix on none I had 't is true for Silvia's sake some apprehensions of fear of being surpriz'd for coming through the Garden I saw at the farther end a man at least I fancy'd by that light it was a man who perceiving the glimps of something approach from the Grove made softly towards me but with such caution as if he fear'd to be mistaken in the person as much as I was to approach him and reminding what Melinda told me of an assignation she had made to Monsiâ—ur the Count Imagin'd it him nor was I mistaken when I heard his voice calling in low tone Melinda At which I mended my pace and e're he got half way the Garden recover'd the Door and softly unlocking it got in unperceiv'd and fasten'd it after me well enough assur'd that he saw not which way I vanisht however it fail'd not to alarm me with some fears on your dear account that disturb'd my repose and which I thought then not necessary to impart to you and which indeed all vanisht at the sight of my Adorable Maid When entering thy Apartment I beheld thee extended on a Bed of Roses in Garments which if possible by their wanton loose negligence and gaiety augmented thy natural Charms I trembling sell on my Knees by your
in thy composition that ever mingled with humanity the very words fall so gently from thy tongue are utter'd with a Voice so ravishingly soft a tone so tender and so full of Love 't would charm even frenzy calm rude distraction and wildness wou'd become a silent Listener there 's such a sweet serenity in thy face such innocence and softness in thy eyes should desart Savages but gaze on thee sure they would forget their native forest wildness and be inspir'd with easy-Gentleness Most certainly this God-like power thou hast Why then Oh tell me in the Agony of my soul why must those charms that bring Tranquility and peace to all make me alone a wild unseemly raver Why has it contrary effects on me Oh! all I act and say is perfect madness Yet this is the least unaccountable part of my most wretched Story Oh! I must ner'e behold thy Lovely face again for if I should sure I should blush my soul away no no I must not nor ever more believe thy dear deluding Vows Never thy charming perjur'd Oaths after a violation like to this Oh Heauen what have I done Yet by that Heaven I swear I dâ—re not ask my soul lest it inform me how I was to blame unless that fatal Minute would instruct me how to revenge my wrongs upon my heart my fond betraying heart Despair and Madness seize me darkness and horror hide me from humane sight after an easiness like this What to yield To yield my Honour Betray the secrets of my Virgin wishes My new desires my unknown shameful flame Hell and Death Where got I so much confidence Where learnt the harden'd and unblushing folly To wish was such a fault as is a crime unpardonable to own to shew desire is such a sin in vertue as must deserve reproach from all the world but I unlucky I have not only betray'd all these but with a transport void of sense and shame I yield to thy Armes I 'll not indure the thought By Heaven I cannot there 's something more than rage that animates that thought some Magick Spell that in the midst of all my sense of Shame keeps me from true repentance this angers me and makes me know my Honour but a fantom Now I could curse again my Youth and Love but Oh! when I have done alas Philander I find my self as guilty as before I cannot make one firm resolve against the or if I do when I consider thee they weigh not all one lovely Hair of thine 'T is all in vain the Charming Cause remains Philander's still as lovely as before 't is him I must remove from my fond Eyes and heart him I must banish from my touch my smell and every other sense by Heaven I cannot bear the mighty pressure I cannot see his Eyes and touch his Hands smell the perfume every Pore of his breaths forth tast thy soft kisses hear thy Charming Voice but I am all on flame NO 't is these I must exclaim on not my Youth 't is they debauch my soul no natural propensity in me to yield or to admit of such destructive fires Fain I would put it off but 't will not do I am the Aggressor still else why is not every living Maid undone that does but touch or see thee Tell me why No the fault 's in me and thou art innocent Were but my Soul less delicate were it less sensible of what it loves and likes in thee I yet were dully happy but Oh there is a nicety there so charm'd so apprehensive of thy Beauties as has betray'd me to unrest for ever Yet something I will do to tame this lewd Betrayer of my right and it shall plead no more in thy behalf no more no more disperse the joys which it conceives through every 〈◊〉 cold and insensible by nature to kindle new desires there No more shall fill me with unknown curosity no I will in spight of all the Perfumes that dwell about thee in spight of all the Arts thou hast of Looking of Speaking and of Touching I will I say assume my native temper I will be calm be cold and unconcern'd as I have been to all the world But to Philander The Almighty Power he has is unaccountable By yonder breaking day that opens in the East opens to see my shame I swear By that great ruler of the day the Sun by that Almighty power that rules them both I swear I swear Philander Charming Lovely Youth Thou art the first e're kindl'd soft desires about my soul thou art the first that ever did inform me that there was such a sort of wish about me I thought the vanity of being belov'd made up the greatest parâ— of the satisfaction 't was joy 〈◊〉 see my Lovers sigh about me adore and praise me and increase my Pride by every look by every word and action and him I fancy'd best I favour'd most and he past for the happy fortune him I have suffer'd too to kiss and press me to tell me all his Tale of Love and sigh which I would listen to with Pride and Pleasure permitted it and smil'd him kind returns nay by my life then thought I lov'd him too thought I could have been content to have past my life at this gay rate with this fond hoping Lover and thought no farther than of being great having rich Coaches showing Equipage to pass my hours in dressing in going to the Opera's and the Tower make Visits where hist be seen at Balls and having still the vanity to think the men would Gaze and Languish where I came and all the Women envy me I thought no farther on But thou Philander hast made me take new measures I now can think of nothing but of thee I loath the sound of Love from any other voice and Conversation makes my soul impatient and does not only dull me into Melancholly but perplexes me out of all humour out of all patient sufferance and I am never so well pleas'd when from Philander as when I am retir'd and curse my Character and Figure in the world because it permits me not to prevent being visited one thought of thee is worth the worlds injoyment I hate to dress I hate to be agreable to any Eyes but thine I hate the noise of Equipage and Crowds and would be more content to live with thee in some lone shaded Cottage than be a Queen and hinder'd by that Grandure one moments conversation with Philander Maist thou despise and loath me a Curse the greatest that I can invent if this be any thing but real honest truth No no Philander I find I never lov'd till now I understood it not nor knew not what those Sighs and Pressings meant which others gave me yet every speaking glance thy Eyes put on inform my soul what 't is they plead and languish for If you but touch my hand my breath grows faint and short my blood glows in my face and runs with an unusual warmth through every
vein and tells my heart what 't is Philander ailes when he falls sighing on my Bosom oh then I fear I answer every look and every sigh and touch in the same silent but intelligible Language and understood I fear to well by thee 'Till now I never fear'd Love as a Criminal Oh tell me not mistaken Foolish Maids true Love is innocent ye cold ye dull ye unconsidering Lovers though I have often heard it from the Grave and Wise and preacht my self that Doctrine I now renounce it all 't is false by Heaven 't is false for now I Love and know it all a fiction yes and love so as never any Woman can equal me in Love my soul being all compos'd as I have often said of softer Materials Nor is it fancy sets my Rates on Beauty there 's an intrinsick value in thy Charms which surely none but I am able to understand and to those that view thee not with my judging Eyes ugliness facy'd wou'd appear the same and please as well If all could love or judge like me why does Philander pass so unregarded by a thousand Women who never sigh'd for him What makes Mertilla who possesses all looks on thee feels thy Kisses hears thee speak and yet wants sense to know how blest she is 't is want of judgment all and how and how can she that judges ill Love well Granting my passion equal to its object you must allow it infinite and more in me than any other Woman by how much more my Soul is compos'd of tenderness and yet I say I own for I may own it now Heaven and you are Witness of my shame I own with all this love with all this passion so vast so true and so unchangeable that I have Wishes new unwonted Wishes at every thought of thee I find a strange disorder in my blood that pants and burns in every Vein and makes me blush and sigh and grow impatient asham'd and angry but when I know it the effects of Love I 'm reconcil'd and wish and sigh anew but when I sit and Gaze upon thy Eyes thy Languishing thy Lovely dying Eyes play with thy soft white hand and lay my glowing Cheek to thine Oh God! What Language can express my transport all that is tender all that is soft desire seizes every trembling Limb and 't is with pain conceal'd Yes yes Philander 't is the fatal truth since thou hast found it I confess it too and yet I love thee dearly long long it was that I essay'd to hide the guilty flame if Love be guilt for I confess I did dissemble a coldness which I was not Mistress of there lyes a Womans Art there all her boasted Vertue it is but well dissembling and no more But mine alas is gone for over fled this this feable guard that should secure my Honour thou hast betray'd and left it quite defenceless Ah what 's a Womans Honour when 't is so poorly guarded No wonder that you conquer with such ease when we are only safe by the mean arts of base dissimulation an ill as shameful as that to which we fall Oh silly refuge What foolish nonsence fond custom can perswade yet so it is and she that breaks her Laws losâ—â— her fame her honour and esteem Oh Heavens how quickly lost it is Give me ye Powers my fame and let me be a fool let me retain my vertue and my Honour and be a dull insensible But Oh where is it I have lost it all 't is irrecoverably lost yes yes ye charming perjur'd man 't is gone and thou hast quite undone me What though I lay extended on my Bed undrest unapprehensive of my fate my Bosom loose and easie of excess my Garments ready thin and wantonly put on as if they would with little force submit to the fond straying hand What then Philander must you take the advantage Must you be perjur'd because I was tempting 'T is true I let you in by stealth by night whose silent darkness favour'd your Treachery but Oh Philander were not your Vows as binding by a glimmering Taper as if the Sun with all his Awful light had been a looker on I urg'd your Vows as you prest on But Oh I fear it was in such a way so faintly and so feebly I upbraided you as did but more advance your perjuries Your strenght encreas'd but mine alas declin'd till I quite fainted in your Arms left you triumphant Lord of all No more my faint denials do perswade no more my trembling hands resist your force unguarded lay the treasure which you toil'd for betray'd and yielded to the Lovely Conqueror But Oh tormenting When you saw the store and found the Prise no richer with what contempt yes false dear man with what contempt you view'd the â—nvalu'd Trophy What! despis'd was all you call a Heaven of Joy and Beauty expos'd to view and then neglected Were all your Prayers heard your wishes granted and your toiles rewarded the trembling Victim ready for the sacrifice and did you want Devotion to perform it and did you thus receive the expected blessing Oh By Heaven I 'll never see the more and 't will be charity to thee for thou hast no excuse in store that can convince my opinion that I am hated loath'd I cannot bear that thought Or if I do it shall only serve to fortify my fixt resolve never to see thee more And yet I long to hear thy false excuse let it be quickly then 't is my disdain invites thee To strengthen which there needs no more than that you let me hear thy poor defence But 't is a tedious time to that flow hour wherein I dare permit thee but hope not to incline my soul to love No I 'm yet safe if I can stop but here but here be wise resolve and be my self SILVIA To Philander AS my Page was coming with the inclos'd he met Alexis at the gate with yours and who would not depart without an answer to it to go or stay is the Question Ah Philander why do you press a heart too ready to yield to Love and you alas I fear you guess too well my answer and your own Soul might save me the blushing trouble of a reply I am plung'd in past hope of a retreat and since my fate has pointed me out for ruine I cannot fall more gloriously Take then Philander to your dear Arms a Maid that can no longer resist who is disarm'd of all defensive power She yields she yields and does confess it too and sure she must be more than mortal that can hold out against thy charms and vows Since I must be undone and give all away I 'll do it generously and scorn all mean reserves I will be brave in Love and lavish all nor shall Philander think I Love him well unless I do Take charming Victor then what your own merits and what Love has give you take take at last the dear reward of all your sighs and
dear arts you us'd life remember how you kiss'd and press'd my face remember what dear charming words you spoke and when I did recover how I ask'd you with a feeble doubtfull voice Ah Silvia will you still continue thus thus wondrous soft and fond will you be ever mine and ever true what did you then reply when kneeling on the carpet where I lay what Silvia did you vow how invoke Heaven how call its vengeance down if e're you lov'd another man again if e're you touch'd or smil'd on any other if e're you suffer'd words or acts of love but from Philander both Heaven and Hell thou did'st awaken with thy oaths one was an angry listener to what it knew thou'dst break the other laugh'd to know thou woud'stâ— be perjur'd while only I poor I was all the while a silent fond believer your vows stopt all my language as your kisses did my lips you swore and kiss'd and vow'd and clasp'd my neck oh charming flatterer oh artfull dear beguiler thus into life and peace and fond security you charm'd my willing Soul 'T was then my Silvia certain of your heart and that it never cou'd be giâ—en away to any other I press'd my eager joys but with such tender caution such fear and fondness such an awfull passion as overcame your faint resistance my reasons and my arguments were strong for you were mine by love by sacred vows and who cou'd lay a better claim to Silvia how oft I cried Why this resistance Silvia my charming dear whose are you not Philander's and shall Philander not command his own you must ah cruel then a soft struggle follow'd with half breath'd words with sighs and trembling hearts and now and thâ—n ah cruel and unreasonable was softly said on both sides thus strove thus argued till both lay panting in each others arms not with the toil but rapture I need not say what after follow'd this what tender showers of strange indearing mixtures 'twixt joy and shame 'twixt love and new surprise and ever when dried your eyes with kisses unable to repeat any other language than oh my Silvia oh my charming Angel while sighs of joy and closely grasping thee spoke all the rest while every tender word and every sigh was Echo'd back by thee you press'd me and you vow'd you lov'd me more than ever yet you did then swore anew and in my bosome hid your charming blushing face then with excess of love wou'd call on Heaven be witness oh ye powers a thousand times ye cried if ever Maid e're lov'd like Silvia punish me strangely oh eternal powers if e're I leave Philander if e're I cease to love him no force no art not interest honour wealth convenience duty or what other necessary cause shall never be of force to make me leave thee thus hast thou sworn oh charming faithless flatterer thus 'twixt â—ach ravishing minute thou wou'dst swear and I as fast believ'd and lov'd thee more hast thou forgot it all oh fickle charmer hast thou hast thou forgot between each awfull ceremony of love how you cried out farewell the world and mortal cares give me Philander Heaven I ask no more hast thou forgot all this did all the live-long night hear any other sound but those my mutual vows of invocations broken sighs and soft and trembling whispers say had we any other business for the tender hours oh all ye host of Heaven ye Stars that shone and all ye powers the faithless lovely Maid has sworn by be witness how she 's perjur'd revenge it all ye injur'd powers revenge it since by it she has undone the faithfullest Youth and broke the tenderest heart that ever fell a sacrifice to love and all ye little weeping Gods of love revenge your murther'd victim your Philander To Philander In the Leaves of a Table-Book OH my Philander how dearly welcome and how needless were thy kind reproaches which â—'ll not endeavour to convince by argument but such a deed as shall at once secure thy fears now and for the future I have not a minute to write in place my dear Philander your Chariot in St. Vincent's Wood and since I am not able to six the â—â—our of my flight let it wait there my coming 't is but a little mile from Bâ—llfont Dorillus is suspected there remove thy self to the high-way-gate Cottage there I 'll call on thee 't was lucky that thy fears or love or jealousie brought thee so near me since I 'd resolv'd before upon my flight Parents and honour interest and fame farewell I leave you all to follow my Philâ—nder haste the Chariot to the thickest part of the Wood for I 'm impatient to be gone and shall take the first opportunity to fly to my Philander Oh love me love me love me Vnder pretence of reaching the Iesamin which shades my Window I unperceiv'd let down and receive what Letters you send by the honest Weeder by her send your sense of my flight or rather your direction for 't is resolv'd already To Silvia My lovely Angel So carefull I will be of this dear mighty secret that I will only say Silvia shall be obey'd no more nay I 'll not dare to think of it lest in my rapture I shou'd name my joy aloud and busie winds shou'd bear it to some oâ—ficious listener and undo me no more no more my Silvia extremes of joy as grief are ever dumb Let it suffice this blessing which you proffer I had design'd to ask as soon as you 'd convinc'd me of your faith yes Silvia I had ask'd it though 't was a bounty too great for any Mortal to conceive Heaven shou'd bestow upon him but if it do that very moment I 'll resign the world and barter all for love and charming Silvia Haste haste my life my arms my bosome and my Soul are open to receive the lovely fugitive haste for this moment I am going to plant my self where you directed 〈◊〉 To Philander After her Flight AH Philander how have you undone a harmless poor unfortunate alas where are you why wou'd you thus abandon me is this the soul the bosome these the arms that shou'd receive me I 'll not upbraid thee with my love or charge thee with my undoing 't was all my own and were it yet to do I shou'd again be ruin'd for Philander and never find repentance no not for a thought a word or deed of love to the dear false for sworn but I can dy yes hopeless friendless leâ—t by all even by Philander all but resolution has abandon'd me and that can lay me down whene're I please in safe repose and peace But oh thou art not false or if thou be'st oh let me â—ear it from thy mouth see thy repented love that I may know there 's no such thing on earth as faith as honesty as love or truth however be thou true or be thou false be bold and let me know it for thus to doubt is torture worse
that appear'd reasonable enough to Philâ—ander And at every period urg'd that his life being dear to Silvia and on which hers so immediately depended he ought no longer to debate but haste his flight to all which councell our Amorous Hero with a soul ready to make its way thro' his trembling body gave a sighing unwilling assent 'T was now no longer a dispute but was concluded he must go but how was only the question How shou'd he take his farewel how shou'd he bid adieu and leave the dear object of his soul in an estate to hazardous he formâ—d a thousand sad Ideas to torment himself with fancying he shou'd never see her more that he shou'd hear that she was dead tho now she appear'd on this side of the Grave and had all the signs of a declining disease He fancy'd absence might make her cold and abate her passion to him that her powerful beauty might atract adorers and she being but a Woman and no pâ—rt Angel but her form 't was not expected she shou'd want her Sexes frailties Now he cou'd consider how he had won her how by importunity and opportunity she had at last yielded to him and therefore might to some new Gamster when he was not by to keep her heart in continual play Then 't was that all the despair of jealous love the throbs and piercing of a violent passion seiz'd his timorous and tender heaâ—t he fancy'd her already in some new Lovers Arms and ran o're all the soft enjoyments he had had with her and fancy'd with tormenting thought that so another wou'd posses her till rackt with tortures he almost fainted on the Repose on which he was set But Brilljard rous'd and indeavour'd to convince him Told him he hop'd his fear was needless and that he wou'd take all the watchful care imaginable of her conduct be a spy upon her vertue and from time to time give him notice of all that shou'd pass Bid him consider her quality and that she was no common Mistriss whom hire cou'd lead astray and that if from the violence of her passion or her more severe fate she had yeilded to the most Charming of men he ought as little to imagine she cou'd be again a Lover as that she cou'd find an object of equal beauty with that of Phillander In fine he sooth'd and Flatter'd him into so much ease that he resolves to take his leave for a day or two under pretence of meeting and consulting with some of the rebell party and that he wou'd return again to her by that time it might be imagin'd her feaver might be abated and Silvia in a condition to receive the news of his being gone for a longer time and to know all his affairs While Brilljard prepar'd all things necessary for his departure Phillander went to Silvia From whom having been absent two tedious hours she caught him in her Arms with a transport of joy reproach'd him with want of Love for being absent so long But still the more she spoke soft â—ighing words of Love the more his Soul was seiz'd with melancholy His sighs redoubl'd and he cou'd not refrain from leting fall some tears upon her bosom Which Silvia perceiving with a look and a trembling in her voyce that spoke her fear she cry'd oh Phillander these are unusual marks of your tenderness Oh tell me tell me quickly what they mean He answer'd with a sigh and she went on 'T is so I am undone 't is your lost vows your broken faith you weep Yes Phillander you find the flower of my beauty faded and what you lov'd before you pity now and these be the effects of it Then sighing as if his Soul had been departing on her neck he cry'd by heaven by all the powers of Love thou art the same dear charmer that thou wert then pressing her body to his bosom he sigh'd a new as if his heart were breaking I know says she Phillander there 's some hidden cause that gives these sighs their way and that dear face a paleness Oh tell me all for she that cou'd abandon all for thee can dare the worst of Fate if thou must quit me Oh Phillander if it must be so I need not stay the lingering death of a feable Feaver I know a way more noble and more sudden Pleas'd at her resolution which all most destroy'd his jealousie and fears a thousand times he kist her mixing his grateful words and thanks with sighs and finding her fair hands which he put often to his mouth to increase their fires and her pulse to be more high and quick fearing to relapse her into her abating feaver he forc'd a smile and told her he had no griefs but what she made him feel no torments but her sickness nor sighs but for her pain and left nothing unsaid that might confirm her he was still more and more her Slave and concealing his design in favour of her health he ceas'd not vowing and protesting till he had settled her in all the tranquillity of a recovering beauty And as since her first Illness he had never departed from her Bed so now this night he strove to appear in her Arms with all that usual Gayety of Love that her condition wou'd permit or his circumstances cou'd feign and leavign her a sleep at day-break with a force upon his Soul that cannot be conceiv'd but by parting Lovers he stole from her Arms and retiring to his chamber he soon got himself ready for his flight and departed We will leave Silvia's ravings to be exprest by none but her self and tell you that after about Fourteen days absence Octavio receiv'd this Letter from Phillander Phillander to Octavio BEing saâ—ely arriv'd at Collen and by a very pretty and lucky adventure lodg'd in the house of the best quallity in the Town I find my self much more at ease then I thought it possible to be without Silvia from whom I am nevertheless impatient to hear I hope absence appears not so great a Bugbear to her as 't was imagin'd For I know not what effects it wou'd have on me to hear her griefs exceeded a few sighs and tears Those my kind absence has taught me to allow and bear without much pain but shou'd her Love transport her to extreams of rage and despair I fear I shou'd quit my safety here and give her the last proof of my Love and my compassion throw my self at her Feet and expose my life to preserve hers Honour wou'd oblige me to 't I conjure you my dear Octavio by all the Friendship you have vow'd me and which I no longer doubt let me speedily know how she bears my absence for on that knowledg depends a great deal of the satisfaction of my life carry her this inclos'd which I have writ her and soften my silent departure which possibly may apear rude and unkind plead my pardon and give her the story of my necessity of offending which none can so well relate
said too much both for himself and her He told her he had declar'd nothing with his Pen that he wou'd not make good with his Sword Hold Sir said she and do not imagine from the freedom you have taken in owning your passion to Philander that I shall allow it here what you declare to the world is your own Crime but when I hear it 't is no longer yours but mine I therefore conjure you my Lord not to charge my Soul with so great a sin against Philander and I confess to you I shall be infinitely troubl'd to be oblig'd to banish you my sight for ever He heard her and answer'd with a sigh for she went from him to the Table and seal'd her Letter and gave it him to be inclos'd to Philander and left him to consider on her last words which he did not lay to heart because he fancy'd she spoke this as women do that will be won with industry he in standing up as she went from him saw himself in the great glass and bid his person answer his heart which from every view he took was reinforc'd with new hope for he was too good a judge of Beauty not to find it in every part of his own Amiable person nor cou'd he imagine from Silvia's eyes which were naturally soft and languishing and now the more so from her fears and jealousies that she meant from her heart the rigours she exprest Much he allow'd for his short time of Courtship much to her Sexes modesty much from her quality and very much from her Love and imagin'd it must be only time and assiduity opportunity and obstinate passion that was only capable of reducing her to break her faith with Philander he therefore indeavour'd by all the good dressing the advantage of lavish gayety to render his person agreeable and by all the Arts of Gallantry to charm her with his conversation and when he cou'd handsomly bring in love he fail'd not to touch upon it as far as it wou'd be permitted and every day had the vanity to fancy he made some advances for indeed every day more and more she found she might have use for so considerable a Person so that one may very well say never any past their time better than Silvia and Octavio tho with different ends all he had now to fear was from the answer Philanders Letter shou'd bring for whom he had in spight of Love so intire a friendship that he even doubted whether if Philander cou'd urge reasons potent enough he shou'd not chuse to dye and quit Silvia rather then be false to friendship one Post past and another and so eight successive ones before they receiv'd one word of answer to what they sent so that Silvia who was the most impatient of her Sex and the most in Love was raving and acting all the extravagance of despair and even Octavio now became less pleasing yet he fail'd not to Visit her every day to send her rich presents and to say all that a fond Lover or a faithful friend might urge for her relief at last Octavio receiv'd this following Leter Philander to Octavio YOu have shew'd Octavio a freedom so generous and so beyond the usual Measures of a Rival that 't were almost injustice in me not to permit you to love on if Silvia can be false to me and all her vows she is not worth preserving if she prefer Octavio to Philander then he has greater merit and deserves her best but if on the contrary she be just if she be true and constant I cannot fear his Love will injure me so either way Octavio has my leave to Love the Charming Silvia alas I know her power and do not wonder at thy fate for 't is as natural for her to Conquer as 't is for youth to yield oh she has fascination in her Eyes a spel upon her tongue her Wit 's a Philter and her air and motion all snares for heedless hearts her very faults have Charmes her pride her peevishness and her disdain have unresisted power Alass you find it every day and every Night she sweeps the Toore along and shews the Beauty she inslaves the Men and Rivals all the Women how oft with Pride and Anger I have seen it and was the inconsidering Coxâ—ombe then to rave and rail at her to curse her Charms her fair inviting and perplexing Charmes and bullyed every Gazer by Heaven I cou'd not spare a smile a look and she has such a lavish freedom in her humour that if thou chance to love as I have done 't wil surely make thee mad if she but talkt aloud or put her little affectation on to shew the wondering crowd what she cou'd do if she design'd to shew the force of Beauty oh God! how lost in rage how mad with jealousie was my fond breaking heart my eyes grew fierce and Clamorous my Tongue and I have scarce contain'd my self from hurting what I so much ador'd but then the subtil Charmer had such Arts to slatter me to peace again to clasp her lovely arms about my neck to sigh a thousand dear confirming vows into my Bosom and kiss and smile and swear and talk away my rage and then Oh my Octavio no humane fancy can present the joy of the dear reconciling moment where little quarrels rais'd the rapture higher and she was always new These are the wondrous pains and wondrous pleasures that Love by turns inspires till it grows wise by time and repetition and then the God assumes a serious gravity injoyment takes off the uneasie keeness of the passion the little jealous quarrels raise no more quarrels the very Feathers of Loves darts that send 'em with more swiftness to the heart and when they cease your transports lessen too then we grow reasonable and consider we love with prudence then as Fencers fight with foyls a sullen brush perhaps sometimes or so but nothing that can touch the heart and when we are arriv'd to love at that dull easie rate we never die of that Disease then we 've recourse to all the little Arts the aids of flatterers and dear dissimulation that help meet to the luke warme Lover to keep up a good Character of constancy and a right understanding Thus Octavio I have ran thro' both the degrees of Love which I have taken so often that I am grown most learn'd and able in the Art My easie heart is of the Constitution of those whom frequent sickness renders apt to take relapses from every little cause or wind that blows too fiercely on 'em it renders it self to the first effects of new surprizing Beauty and finds such pleasure in beginning passion such dear delight of fancying new injoyment that all past loves past Vow and obligations have power to bind no more no pitty no remorce no threatning danger invades my amorous course I scowre along the slow'ry plains of Love view all the charming prospect at a distance which represents it self all
but reassuming her Courage she open'd it and read this Philander to Silvia AH Silvia Why all these Doubts and Fears Why at this distance do you accuse your Lover when he 's uncapable to fall before you and undeceive your little jealousies Oh Silvia I fear this first reproaching me is rather the effects of your own guilt than any that love can make you think of mine Yes yes my Silvia 't is the Waves that roul and glide away and not the steady shore 'T is you begin to unfasten from the Vows that hold you and sloat along the flattering Tide of Vanity 'T is you whose Pride and Beauty scorning to be confin'd gives way to the admiring Croud that sigh for you Yes yes you like the rest of your fair glorious Sex love the admirer tho you hate the Coxcomb 'T is vain 't is great and shews your Beauties Power Is 't possible that for the safety of my Life I cannot retire but you must think I 'm fled from Love and Silvia or is it possible that piâ—ying tenderness that made me uncapable of taking leave of her shou'd be interpreted as false And base and that an absence of thirty days so forc'd and so compell'd must render me inconstant lost ungrateful as if that after Silvia heaven e're made a Beauty that cou'd Charm me You charge my Letter with a thousand faults 't is short 't is cold and wants those usual softnesses that gave 'em all their welcom and their Graces I fear my Silvia loves the flatterer and not the Man the Lover only not Philander And she considers him not for himself but the gay glorious thing he makes of her Ah! too self int'resâ—ed Is that your Jusâ—ice You ne'r allow for my unhappy circumsâ—ances you never think how care oppresses me Nor what my Love contributes to that care How business danger and a thousand ills takes up my harass'd mind by every power I love thee still my Silvia but time has made us more familiar now and we begin to leave off Ceremony and come to closer joys to joyn our int'rest now as people fixt resolv'd to live and die together to weave our thoughts and be united stronger At first we shew the gayest side of Love dress and be nice in every word and look set out for conquest all spread every Art use every Stratagem but when the toyl is past and the dear Victory gain'd we then propose a little idle rest a little easie slumber We then embrace lay by the Gawdy shew the Plumes and guilded Equipage of Love the trappings of the Conqueror and bring the naked Lover to your Arms we shew him then uâ—cas'd with all his little disadvantages perhaps the flowing hair those Ebon Curles you have so often comb'd and drest and kist are then put up and shew a fiercer Air more like an Antique Roman than Philander and shall I then because I want a Grace be thought to love you less because the embroider'd Coat the Point and Garniture's laid by must I put off my Passion with my Dress No Silvia love allows a thousand little freedoms Allows me to unbosom all my Secrets tell thee my wants my Fears complaints and dangers and think it great relief if thou but sigh and pitty me And oft thy Charming wit has aided me but now I find thee adding to my pain Oh where shall I unload my weight of cares when Silvia who was wont to sigh and weep and suffer me to ease the heavy Burden now grows displeas'd and peevish with my moans and calls 'em the effects of dying love instead of those dear smiles that fond bewitching prattle that us'd to calm my roughest storm of Grief she now reproaches me with coldness want of concern and Lovers Rethorick And when I seem to beg relief and shew my Souls resentâ—ment 't is then I 'm false 't is my aversion or the effects of some new kindling Flame Is this fair dealing Silvia can I not spare a little sigh from love but you must think I rob you of your due If I omit a tender Name by which I us'd to call you must I be thought to lose that passion that taught me such indearments And must I ne're reflect upon the ruin both of my fame and Fortune but I must run the risk of losing Silvia too Oh cruelty of Love Oh too too fond and jealous Maid what Crimes thy innocent passion can create when it extends beyond the bounds of reason Ah too too nicely tender Silvia that will not give me leave to cast a thought back on my former glory yet even that loss I cou'd support with tameness and content if I believ'd my suâ—â—ering reach'd only to my heart but Silvia if she love must feel my torments too must share my loss and want a thousand Ornaments my sinking Fortune cannot purchase her believe me Charming Creature if I shou'd love you less I have a sense so just of what you 've suffer'd for Philander I 'd be content to be a Galley Slave to give thy Beauty Birth and Love their due but as I am thy Faithful Lover still depend upon that Fortune Heaven has left me which if thou canst as thou hast often sworn then thou wou'dst submit to be cheerful still be gay and confident and do not judge my heart by little words my heart too great and fond for such poor demonstrations You ask me Silvia where I am and what I do all I can say is that at present I am safe from any fears of being deliver'd up to France and what I do is sighing dying grieving I want my Silvia But my Circumstances yet have nothing to incourage that hope when I resolve where to settle you shall see what haste I will make to have you brought to me I am impatient to hear from you and to know how that dear pledge of our soft hours advances I mean what I believe I left thee possest of a young Philander Cherish it Silvia for that 's a certain Obligation to keep a dying fire alive be sure you do it no hurt by your unnecessary grief tho there needs no other tie but that of Love to make me more intirely Your Philander It Silvia's Fears were great before she open'd the Letter what were her pains when all those fears were confirmed from that never failing mark of a declining Love the coldness and alteration of the Stile of Letters that first Symptom of a dying flame Oh where said she where Oh perjur'd Charmer is all that ardency that us'd to warm the Reader where is all that Natural Innocence of Love that cou'd not even to discover and express a Grace in Eloquence force one soft word or one Passion Oh continued she he is lost and gone from Silvia and his Vows some other has him all Clasps that dear body hangs upon that face gazes upon his Eyes and listens to his Voyce when he is looking sighing swearing dying lying and damning of himself for some new
blush'd a Thousand times and fix'd her Eyes upon it for she knew it and was Impatient to have ask'd me some Questions but contain'd her Words And after that I saw a Ioy dance in her lovely Eyes that told me She devin'd you were not far from thence Therefore I beseech your Lordship let us haste So both went out together and the Page Conducted him into a Chamber he better knew than the Boy while every Moment he receives Intelligence how Affairs went in that of Silvia's by the Page who leaving Octavio there went out as a Spy for him In fine with much ado Silvia perswaded her Old Lover to urge her for no Favours that Night for she was indispos'd and unfit for Love yet she perswades with such an Air so Smiling and Insinuating that she increases the Fire she indeavour'd to allay but he who was all Obedience as well as New Desire resolves to humour her and shew the perfect Gallantry of his Love he promises her she shall command And after that never was the Old Gentleman seen in so excellent a Humour before in the whole Course of his Life a certain Lightening against a Storm that must be fatal to him He was no sooner gone from her with a promise to go to Bed and Sleep that he might be the earlier up to show her the fine Gardens which she lov'd but she sends Antonett to call the Page from whom she long'd to know something of Octavio and was sure he cou'd inform her But she was undressing while she spoke and got into her Bed before she left her But Antonett instead of bringing the Sighing Youth brought the Transported and Ravish'd Octavio who had by this time pull'd off his Course Campaign and put down his Hair He fell breathless with Joy on her Bed side when Antonett who knew that Love desired no lookers on retired and left Octavio almost dead with Joy in the Clasping Arms of the Trembling Maid the lovely Silvia Oh who can guess their satisfaction Who can guess their Sighs and Love their tender Words half stifled in Kisses Lovers fond Lovers only can imagine to all besides this Tale will be Insipid He now forgets where he is that not far off lay his Amorous Uncle that to be found there was Death and something worse but wholly Ravish'd with the Languishing Beauty taking his Pistols out of either Pocket he lays them on a Dressing Table near the Bed side and in a Moment throws off his Cloths and gives himself up to all the Heaven of Love that lay ready to receive him there without thinking of any thing but the vast Power of eithers Charms They lay and forgot the hasty Hours but Old Sebastian did not They were all counted by him with the Impatience of a Lover He Burnt he Rag'd with fierce Desire and tost from side to side and found no ease Silvia was present in Imagination and he like Tantalus reaches at the Food which tho' in view is not within his reach He wou'd have Pray'd but he had no Devotion for any Deity but Silvia he rose and walk'd and went to Bed again and found himself uneasie every way A Thousand times he was about to go and try what Opportunity would do in the dark silent Night but fears her Rage he fears she 'll chide at least then he resolves and unresolves as fast Unhappy Lover thus to blow the Fire when there were no Materials to supply it at last overcome with fierce Desire too Violent to be withstood or rather Fate wou'd have it so ordained he ventures all and steals to Silvia's Chamber believing when she found him in her Arms she could not be displeased or if she were that was the surest place of Reconciliation So that only putting his Night Gown about him he went softly to her Chamber for fear of waking her The unthinking Lovers had left open the Door so that it was hardly put to And the first Alarm was Octavio's Hand being seiz'd which was Clasping his Treasure He starts from the frighted Arms of Silvia and leaping from the Bed wou'd have escaped for he knew too well the touch of that Old Hand but Sebastian wholly surpriz'd at so robust a repulse took most unfortunately a stronger hold and laying both his Hands roughly upon him with a Resolution to know who he was for he felt his Hair and Octavio struggling at the same Minute to get from him they both fell against the Dressing Table threw down the Pistols in their fall one of which going off shot the unfortunate Old Lover into the Head so that he never spoke word more At the going off of the Pistol Silvia who had not minded those Octavio laid on the Table cry'd out Oh my Octavio My dearest Charmer reply'd he I 'm well And feeling on the Dead Body which he wonder'd had no longer Motion he felt Blood flowing round it and Sighing cry'd Ah Silvia I 'm undone My Vncle Oh my Parent Speak Dear Sir Oh! what unlucky Accident has done this fatal Deed Silvia who was very soft by Nature was extreamly surpriz'd and frightned at the News of a Dead Man in her Chamber so that she was ready to run Mad with the Apprehension of it She rav'd and tore her self and exprest her Fright in Cries and Distraction so that Octavio was compelled from one charitable Grieâ— to another He goes to her and Comforts her and tells since 't is by no design of either of them their Innocence will be their Guardian Angel He tells her all their fault was Love which made him so heedlesly fond of Joys with her he staid to reap those when he should have secur'd 'em by Flight He tells her this is now no place to stay in and that he would put on her Clothes and fly with her to some secure part of the World For who said he that finds this poor Vnfortunate here will not charge his Death on me or thee Haste then my dearest Maid haste haste and let us fly So dressing her he led her into Antonett's Chamber and conjured her to say nothing of the Accident while he went to see which way they could get out So locking the Chamber door where the dead Body lay which by this time was stiff and cold he lock'd that also of his Uncle's Chamber and calling the Page they all got themselves ready and puting Two Horses in the Coach they unseen and unperceived got themselves all out The Servants having drunk hard at their meeting in the Country last Night were all too sound a sleep to understand any thing of what past It being now about the Break of Day Octavio was the Coachman and the Page Riding by the Coach-side while Silvia and Antonett were in it they in an hours time reach'd the Town where Octavio pack'd up all that was carriageable took his own Coach and Six Horses left his Affairs to the Managent of a Kinsman that dwelt with him took Bills to the value of Two
Melancholy And 't was in this Humour Octavio found her who forgetting all his own Griefs to lessen hers for his Love was arrived to a degree of Madness he caresses her with all the Eloquence his Passion could pour out he falls at her Feet and pleads with such a Look and Voice as could not be resisted nor ceas'd he till he had talk'd her into Ease till he had look'd and lov'd her into a perfect Calm 'T was then he urg'd her to a new Confirmation of her Heart to him and took hold of every yielding Softness in her to improve his Advantage He press'd her to all 〈◊〉 wish'd but by such tender Degrees by Arts so fond and indearing 〈◊〉 the could deny nothing In this Humour she makes a thousand Vows against Philander to hate him as a Man that has first ruined her Honour and then abandon'd her to all the Ills that attend ungoverned Youth and unguarded Beauty She makes Octavio swear as often to be reveng'd on him for the Dishonour of his Sister Which being performed they re-assum'd all the Satisfactions which had seem'd almost destroy'd by adverse Fate and for a little space liv'd in great Tranquillity or if Octavio had Sentiments that represented past Unhappinesses and a future Prospect of ill Consequences he strove with all the Power of Love to hide 'em from Silvia In this time they often sent to the Nunnery of the Augustins to inquire of the Countess of Clarinau and at last hearing she was arrived no force of Perswasion or Reason could hinder Silvia from going to make her a Visit Octavio pleads in vain the overthrow of all his Revenge by his Sisters knowledge that her Intrigue was found out But in an Undress for her Condition permitted no other she is carried to the Monastery and asks for the Mother Prioress who came to the Grate Where after the first Complement's over she tells her she is a Relation to that Lady who such a day came to the House Silvia by her Habit and Equipage appearing of Quality was answered that thoâ— the Lady were very much indispos'd and unfit to appear at the Grate she would nevertheless indeavour to serve her since she was so earnest and commanding one of the Nuns to call down Madam the Countess she immediately came but tho' in a Dress all negligent and Face where Languishment appeared she at first sight surprized our Fair One with a certain Majesty in her Mein and Motion and an Air of Greatness in her Face which resembled that of Octavio So that not being able to sustain herself on her trembling Supporters she was ready to faint at a Sight so charming and a Form Angelick She saw her all that Philander had describ'd nor could the Partiality of his Passion render her more lovely than she appear'd this Instant to Silvia She came to reproach her but she found a Majesty in her Looks above all Censure that aw'd the jealous Upbraider and almost put her out of Counâ—enance and with a rising Blush she seem'd asham'd of her Errand At this Silence the lovely Calista a little surpriz'd demanded of an attending Nun if that Lady would speak with her This awaked Silvia into an Address and she reply'd Yes Madam I am the Vnfortunate who am compell'd by my hard Fate to complain of the most charming Woman that ever Nature made I thought in coming hither I should have had no other Business but to have told you how false how perjured a Lover I had had but at a Sight so wonderous I blame him no more whom I find now compell'd to love but you who have taken from me by your Charms the only Blessing Heaven had lent me This she ended with a Sigh and Madam the Countess who from the beginning of her speaking guess'd from a certain trembling at her Heart who it was she spoke of resolv'd to show no Signs of a womanish Fear or Jeâ—lousy but with an unalterable Air and Courage reply'd Madam if my Charms were so powerful as you are pleased to tell me they are they sure have attracted too many Lovers for me to understand which of 'em it is I have been so unhappy to rob you of If he be a gallant Man I shall neither deny him nor repent my Loving him the more for his having been a Lover before To which Silvia who expected not so brisk an Answer reply'd She that makes such a Confession with so much Generosity I know cannot be insensible of the Injuries she does but will have a Consideration and Pity for those Wretches at least who are undone to establish her Satisfaction Madam reply'd the Countess a little touch'd with the Tenderness and Sadness with which she spoke you have so just a Character of my Soul that I assure you I would not for any Pleasure in the World do an Action should render it less worthy of your good Thoughts Name me the Man and if I find him such as I may return you with Honour he shall find my Friendship no more Ah Madam 't is impossible cry'd Silvia that he can ever be mine that has once had the Glory of being conquered by you and what 's yet more of having conâ—uered you Nay Madam reply'd Calista if your Loss be irrecoverable I have no more to do but to sigh with you and joyn our hard Fates but I am not so vain of my own Beauty nor have so little Admiration for that of yours to imagine I can retain any thing you have a Claim to â— for me I am not fond of Admirers if Heaven be pleased to give me one I ask no more I 'll leave the World to you so it allow me my Philander This she spoke with a little Malice which call'd up all the Blushes in the fair Face of Silvia who a little netled at the word Philander reply'd Go take the perjured Man and see how long you can maintain your Empire over his fickle Heart who has already betray'd you to all the Reproach an incensed Rival and an injured Brother can load you with See where he has exposed you to Octavio and after that tell me what you can hope from such a perjured Villain At these Words she gave her the Letter Philander had writ to Octavio with that he had writ to herself and without taking Leave or speaking any more she left her thoughtful Rival Who after pausing a Moment on what should be writ there and what the angry Lady ment she silently passed on to her Chamber But if she were surprized with her Visiter she was much more when opening the Letters she found one to her Brother filled with the History of her Infamy and what pressed her Soul more sensibly the other fill'd with Passion and Softness to a Mistriss She had scarcely read them out but a young Nun her Kinswoman came into her Chamber whom I have since heard protest she scarce saw in that Moment any Alteration in her but that she rose and received her
of Octavio for which he was forced to fly the States released him when he came to his Lord How â—ry'd Philander and is the Traytor Octavio fled from Holland and from the reach of my Chastisement Yes reply'd Brilljard and not to hold you longer from the Truth has forced Silvia away with him At this Philander grew into a violent Rage sometimes against Octavio for his Treasons against Friendship sometimes he felt the old Flame revive rais'd and blown by Jealousy and was raving to imagine any other should posses the lovely Silvia He now beholds her with all those Charms that first fired him and thinks if she be Criminal 't was only the Effects of the greatest Love which always hurries Women on to the highest Revenges In vain he seeks to extinguish this returning Flame by the Thought of â—alista yet at that Thought he starts like one awakened from a Dream of Honour to fall asleep again and dream of Love Before 't was Rage and Pride but now it was Tenderness and Grief softer Passions and more insupportable New Wounds smart most but old ones are most dangerous While he was thus rageing walking pausing and loving one knock'd at his Chamber-Door It was Silvia's Page who had waited all the Evening to speak to him and could not till now be admitted Brilljard was just going to tell him he was there before when he arrived now again Philander was all unbutton'd his Stockings down and his Hair under his Cap when the â—age being let in by Brilljard ran to his Lord who knew him and imbraced him And 't was a pretty while they thus caressed each other without the Power of speaking he of asking a Question and the Boy of delivering his Message at last he gave him Silvia's Billet which was thus To Philander FAlse and perjured as you are I languish for a Sight of you and conjure you to give it me as soon as this comes to your Hands Imagine not that I have prepared those Instruments of Revenge that are so justly due to your Perfidy but rather that I have yet too tender Sentiments for you in spight of the Outrages you have done my Heart and that for all the Ruine you have made I still adore you And tho' I know you now anothers Slave yet I beg you would vouchsafe to behold the Spoils you have made and allow me this Recompence for all to say Here was the Beauty I once esteem'd tho' now she is no more Philander's Silvia How cry'd he out No more Philander ' s Silvia By Heaven I had rather be no more Philander And at that word without considering whether he were in order for a Visit or not he advancing his joyful Voice cry'd out to the Page Lead on my faithful Boy lead on to Silvia In vain Brilljard beseeches him to put himself into a better Equipage in vain he urges to him the indecency of making a Visit in that Posture he thought of nothing but Silvia however he ran after him with his Hat Cloak and Comb and as he was in the Chair dress'd his Hair and suffered the Page to conduct him where he pleas'd Which being to Silvia's Lodgings he ran up Stairs and into her Chamber as by Instinct of Love and found her laid on her Bed to which he made but one step from the Door and catching her in his Arms as he kneeled upon the Carpet they both remain'd unable to utter any thing but Sighs And surely Silvia never appear'd more charming she had for a Month or two liv'd at her Ease and had besides all the Advantage of fine Dressing which she had purposly put on in the most tempting Fashion on purpose to ingage him or rather to make him see how fine a Creature his Perfidy had lost him She first broke Silence and with a thousand violent Reproaches seem'd as if she would fain break from those Arms which she wish'd might be too strong for her Force while he endeavours to appease her by swearing and lying as Lovers do protesting a thousand times that there was nothing in that History of his Amour with Calista but Revenge on Octavio who he knew was making an Interest in her Heart contrary to all the Laws of Honour and Friendship for he had learn'd by the Reproaches of the Lady Abbess that Calista was Sister to Octavio he has had the daring to confess to me his Passion said he for you and could I do less in Revenge than tell him I had one for his Sister I knew by the violent Reproaches I ever met with in your Letters tho' they were not plainly confess'd that he had play'd me foul and discover'd my â—eign'd Intrigue to you and even this I suffered to see how far you could be prevail'd with against me I knew Octavio had Charms of Youth and Wit and that you had too much the Ascendant over him to be deny'd any Secret you had a mind to draw from him I knew your Nature too curious and your Love too inquisitive not to press him to a sight of my Letters which seen must incense you and this Tryal I designedly made oâ— your Faith and as a Return to Octavio Thus he flatters and she believes because she has a mind to believe and thus by degrees he softens the listening Silvia Swears his Faith with Sighs and confirms 〈◊〉 with his Tears which bedew'd her fair Bosom as they fell from his bright dissembling Eyes and yet so well he dissembled that he scarce knew himself that he did so And such Effects it wrought on Silvia that in spight of all her Honour and Vows engaged to Octavio and horrid Protestations never to receive again the Fugitive to her Arms she suffers all he ask's gives herself up again to Love and is a second time undone She regards him as one to whom she had a peculiar Right as the first Lover She was married to his Love to his Heart and Octavio appeared the intruding Gallant that would and ought to be content with the Gleanings of the Harvest Philander should give him the opportunity to take up And tho' if she had at this very time been put to her sober Choice which she would have abandoned it would have been Philander as not in so good Circumstances at that time to gratify all her Extravagancies of Expence but she could not indure to think of loosing either She was for two Reasons covetous of both and swore Fidelity to both protesting each the only Man and she was now contriving in her Thoughts how to play the Jilt most Artificially a Help meet tho' natural enough to her Sex she had not yet much essay'd and never to this purpose She knew well she should have need of all her Cunning in this Affair for she had to do with Men of Quality and Honour and too much Wit to be grosly imposed upon She knew Octavio lov'd so well it would either make her loâ—e him by Death or resenting Pride if she should ever be
Adventure and how she had got his Writings which would be all her own if she might be suffered to manage the fond Believer But he whose thought 〈◊〉 on the Revenge was threaten'd him cry'd out He has kindly awaken'd me to my Duty by what he threatens 't is I that ought to be reveng'd on his Persidy of shewing you my Letter 's and to that end by Heaven I will defer all the Business in the World to meet him and pay his Courtesy If I had injoy'd his Sister he might suppose I knew her not to be so and what Man of Wit or Youth would refuse a lovely Woman that presents a Heart laden with Love and a Person all over Charms to his Bosom I were to be esteem'd unworthy the Friendship of a Man of Honour if I should But he◠has basely betray'd me every way makes Love to my celebrated Mistriss whom he knows I love and getting Secrets unravels 'em to make his Court and his Access the easier She foresaw the dangerous Consequence of a Quarrel of this nature and had no sooner blown the Fire which she did to the end that Philander should avoid her Lodgings and all places where he might meet Octavio but she hinders all her Designs and fixing him there he was resolv'd to expect him at the first place he thought most likely to find him in She indeavoured by a thousand Intreaties to get him gone urging it all for his Safety but that made him but the more resolv'd and all she could do could not hinder him from staying Supper and after that from going to Bed So that she was forced to hide a thousand Terrors and Fears by feigned Caresses the sooner to get him to meet Cesario in the Morning as he said he was to do And tho' she could not help flattering both while by yet she ever lov'd the absent best and now repented a thousand times that she had told him any thing Early the next Morning as was his Custom Octavio came to inquire of Silvia's Health and tho' he had oftentimes only inquired and no more taking Excuse of ill Nights or Commands that none should come to her till she call'd and had departed satisfied and came again Yet now when he went into Antonett's Chamber he found she was in a great Consternation and her Looks and flattering Excuses made him know there was more than usual in his being to day deny'd he therefore pressed it the more and she grew to greater Confusion by his pressing her At last he demanded the Key of her Lady's Chamber he having he said Business of great Importance to communicate to her she told him she had as great a Reason not to deliver it That is said she fearing she had said too much my Lady's Commands and finding no Perswasion would prevail and rather venturing Silvia's eternal Displeasure than not to be satisfied in the Jealousies she had raised especially reflecting on Philander's being in Town he took Antonett in his Arms and forced the Key from her who was willing to be forced for she admired Octavio's Bounty and car'd not for Philander Octavio being Master of the Key flies to Silvia's Door like Lightening or a jealous Lover mad to discover what seen would kill him He opens the Chamber-door and goes softly to the Bed-side as if he now fear'd to find what he sought and wished to Heaven he might be mistaken he opened the Curtains and found Silvia sleeping with Philander in her Arms. I need make no Discription of his Confusion and Surprize the Character I have given of that gallant honest and generous Lover is sufficient to make you imagine his Heart when indeed he could believe his Eyes Before he thought he was about to draw his Sword and run 'em both through and revenge at once his injured Honour his Love and that of his Sister but that little Reason he had left check'd that Barbarity and he was readier from his own natural sweetness of Disposition to run himself upon his own Sword And there the Christian pleaded and yet he found his Heart breaking his whole Body trembling his Mind all Agony his Cheeks cold and pale his Eyes languishing his Tongue refusing to give Utterance to his Pressure and his Leggs to support his Body and much ado he had to reel into Antonett's Chamber where he found the Maid dying with Grief for her Concern for him He was no sooner got to her Bed-side but he fell dead upon it while she who was afraid to alarm her Lady and Philander least Octavio being found there had accused her with betraying 'em but shuting the Door close for yet no body had seen him but herself she indeavoured all she could to bring him to Life again and it was a great while before she could do so As soon as he was recovered he lay a good while without speaking reflecting on his Fate but after appearing as if he had assum'd all his manly Spirits together he rose up and conjured Antonett to say nothing of what had happen'd and that she should not repent the Service she would do him by it Antonett who was his absolute devoted Slave promised him all he desired and he had the Courage to go once again to confirm himself in the Lewdness of this undone fair one whose Perjuries had rendered her even odious now to him and he beheld her with Scorn and Disdain And that she might know how indifferently he did so when she should come to know it he took Philander's Sword that lay on her Toylet and left his own in the place and went out pleased at least in this that he had commanded his Passion in the midst of the most powerful Occasion for Madness and Revenge that ever was They lay thus secur'd in each others Arms till nine a-Clock in the Morning when Philander received a Note from Brilljard who was managing his Lords Design of getting a Billet delivered to Calista by the way of a Nun whom Brilljard had made some Address to to that end and sent to beg his Lord would come to the Grate and speak to the young Nun who had undertaken for any innocent Message This Note made him rise and hast to go out when he received another from an unknown Hand which was thus To Philander MY Lord I have important Business with you and beg I may speak with you at three of the Clock I will wait you by the Fountain in the Park Yours Silvia who was impatient to have him gone never asked to see either of these Notes least it should have deterr'd him and she knew Octavio would visit her early tho' she knew withal she could refuse him Enterance with any slight Excuse so good an Opinion he had of her Vertue and so absolute an Ascendant she had over him She had given Orders if he came to be refused her Chamber and she was glad to know he had not yet been at her Lodgings A hundred times she was about to make use of
you injured me to that degree that I with all the mighty stock of Love I had hoarded up together in my Heart must dy reproaching thee to my last Gasp of Life which had'st thou been so merciful to have ended by all the Love that 's breaking off my Heart that yet even yet is soft and charming to me I swear with my last Breath I had bless'd thee Silvia But thus to use me thus to leave my Love distracted raving Love and no one Hope or Prospect of Relief either from Reason Time or faithless Silvia was but to stretch the Wretch upon the Rack and screw him up to all degrees of Pain yet such as do not end in kinder Death Oh thou unhappy Ruiner of my Repose Oh fair Vnfortunate if yet my Agony would give me leave to argue I am so miserably lost to ask thee yet this woful Satisfaction to tell me why thou hast undone me thus Why thou shouldest chuse out me from all the Crowd of fond admiring Fools to make the World's Reproach and turn to redicule How could'st thou use that soft good Nature so that had not one ungrateful sullen Humour in it for thy Revenge and Pride to work upon No Baseness in my Love no dull Severity for Malice to be busie with but all was gay and kind all lavish Fondness and all that Woman vain with Youth and Beauty could wish in her Adorer What could'st thou ask but Empire which I gave not My Love my Soul my Life my very Hâ—nour all was resign'd to thee that Youth that might have gain'd me Fame abroad was dedicated to thy eternal Service laid at thy Feet and idly past in Love Oh charming Maid whom Heaven has form'd for the Punishment of all whose Flames are Criminal why could'st not thou have made some kind distinction between those common Passions and my Flame I gave thee all my Vows my honest Vows before I asked a Recompence for Love I made thee mine before the sacred Powers that witness every secret solemn Vow and fix 'em in the eternal Book of Fate if thou had'st given thy Faith to any other as oh too sure thou hast what Fault was this in me who knew it not why should I bear that sin I took thee to me as a Virgin Treasure sent from the Gods to charm the Ills of Life to make the tedious Iourney short and joyful I came to make atonement for thy Sin and to redeem thy Fame not add to the detested Number I came to guild thy Stains of Honour over and set so high a Price upon thy Name that all Reproaches for thy past Offences should have been lost in future Crowds of Glory I came to lead thee from a world of Shame approaching Ills and future Miseries from noisy Flatterers that would sacrifice thee first to dull Lust and more unthinking Wit possess thee then traduce thee By Heaven I swear it was not for myself alone I took such pains to gain thee and set thee free from all those Circumstances that might perhaps debauch thy worthier Nature and I believed it was with pain you yielded to every buying Lover No 't was for thy Sake in pity to thy Youth Heaven had inspired me with Religious Flame and when I aim'd at Silvia 't was alone I might attain to Heaven the surest way by such a pious Conquest Why hast thou ruin'd a Design so glorious as saving both our Souls Perhaps thou vainly thinkest that while I am pleading thus I am arguing still for Love or think this way to move â—hee into Pity No by my hopes of Death to ease my Pain Love is a Passion not to be compell'd by any force of Reason's Arguments 'T is an unthinking Motion of the Soul that comes and goes as unaccountably as changing Moons or Ebbs and Floâ—s of Rivers only with far less certainty It is not that my Soul is all over Love that 〈◊〉 beget its Likeness in your Heart Had Heaven and Nature added to that Love all the Perfections that adorn our Sex it had avail'd me nothing in your Soul There is a Chancâ— in Love as well as Life and oft the most unworthy are preferred and from a Lottery I might win the Prize from all the venturing Throng with as much Reason as think my Chance should favour me with Silvia it might perhaps have been but 't was a wonderous Odds against me Beauty is more uncertain than the Dice and tho' I ventured like a forward Gamester I was not yet so vain to hope to win nor had I once complain'd upon my Fate if I had never hop'd but when I had fairly won to have it basely snatch'd from my Possession and like a bafled Cully see it seiz'd by a false Gamester and look tamely on has show'd me such a Picture of myself has given me such Idea's of the Fool I scorn to look into my easy Heart and loath the Figure you have made me there Oh Silvia what an Angel thou had'st been had'st thou not sooth'd me thus to my Vndoing Alass it had been no Crime in thee to hate me it was not thy Fault I was not Aimable if thy soft Eyes could meet no Charms to please 'em those soft those charming Eyes were not in Fault nor that thy Sense too delicate and nice could meet no proper Subject for thy Wit thy Heart thy tender Heart was not in fault because it took not in my tale of Love and sent soft Wishes back Oh! no my Silvia this tho' I had dy'd had caused you no Reproach but first to fan my Fire by all the Arts that ever Subtle Beauty could â—â—vent to give me Hope nay to â—issemble Love yes and so very well â—issemble too that not one tender Sigh was breath'd in vain All that my love-sick Soul was panting for the subtle Charmer gave so well so very well she could dissemble Oh! what more Proofs could I expect from Love what greater Earnest of eternal Victory Oh! thou had'st raised me to the height of Heaven to make my Fall to Hell the more precipitate Like a fallen Angel now I howl and roar and curse that Pride that taught me first Ambition 't is a poor Satisfaction now to know if thou could'st yet tell Truth what Motive first seduced thee to my Ruin Had it been Interest by Heaven I would have bought my wanton Pleasures at as high Rates as I would gratify my real Passions at least when Silvia set a price on Pleasure nay higher yet for Love when 't is repaid with equal Love it saves the Chafferer a great Expence Or were it wantonness of Youth in thee alass you might have made me understood it and I had met you with an equal Ardor and never thought of loving but quench'd the short liv'd Blaze as soon as kindled and hoping for no more had never let my hasty Flame arrive any higher than that powerful Minutes Cure But oh in vain I seek for Reasons from thee perhaps thy own fantastick
that for Silvia if he were assur'd her possession could make him happy and call him to the World again he assur'd him he wou'd quit her to him were she Ten times dearer to him than she was This he confirm'd with so many protestations of Friendship that Octavio oblig'd to the last degree believ'd and return'd him this Answer Sir I must confess you have found out the only way to disarm me of my resentment against you if I were not oblig'd by those Vows I am going to take to pardon and be at peace with all the World However these Vows cannot hinder me from conserving intirely that Friendship in my Heart which your good qualities and beauties at first sight ingag'd there and from esteeming you more than perhaps I ought to do the Man whom I must yet own my Rival and the undoer of my Sisters Honour But Oh no more of that a Friend 's above a Sister or a Mistriss At this he hung down his Eyes and sigh'd Philander told him he was too much concern'd in him not to be extreamly afflicted at the resolution he had taken and besought him to quit a design so injurious to his Youth and the glorious things that Heaven had destin'd him to he urg'd all that could be said to diswade him and after all could not believe he would quit the World at this Age when it would be sufficient Forty Years hence so to do Octavio only answer'd with a Smile but when he saw Philander still persist he endeavour'd to convince him by speaking and lifting up his Eyes to Heaven he Vow'd by all the Holy Powers there he never would look down to Earth again nor more consider fickle faithless Beauty All the Gay Vanities of Youth said he for ever I renounce and leave 'em all to those that find a Pleasure or a Constancy in 'em for the fair faithless Maid that has undone me I leave to you the Empire of her Heart but have a care said he and Sighing laid his Arms about his Neck for even you with all that stock of Charms she will at last betray I wish her well so well as to repent of all her Wrongs to me 'T is all I have to say What Philander could urge being impossible to prevail with him And beging his Pardon and Friendship which was granted by Octavio and implor'd on his side from Philander he took a ring of a great value from his Finger and presented it to Philander and beg'd him to keep it for his Sake and to remember him while he did so They Kist and Sighing parted Philander was no sooner gone but Brilljard came to wait on Octavio whom he found at his Devotion and beg'd his Pardon for disturbing him He receiv'd him with a very good Grace and a chearful Countenance imbracing him and after some Discourse of the Condition he was going to reduce himself to and his Admiration that one so young should think of Devoting himself so early to Heaven and things of that nature as the time and occasion requir'd he told him the extream Affliction Silvia was seiz'd with at the News of the Resolution he had taken and deliver'd him her Letter which he read without any Emotions in his Heart or Face as at other times us'd to be visible at the very mention of her Name or approach of her Letters At the finishing of which he only smiling Cry'd Alass I pity her and gave him back the Letter Brilljard ask'd if he would not please to write her some Answer or condescend to see her No replyed Octavio I have done with all the gilded Vanities of Life now I shall think of Silvia but as Some Heavenly thing fit for Diviner Contemplations but neverwith the Youthful thoughts of Love What he should send her now he said would have a different Stile to those she us'd to receive from him it would be Pious Counsel Grave Advice unfit for Ladies so Young and Gay as Silvia and would scarce find a welcome He wish'd he could convert her from the World and save her from the dangers that pursu'd her To this purpose was all he said of her and all that could be got from him by the earnest Solliciter of Love who perhaps was glad his Negotiation succeeded no better and took his leave of him with a promise to visit him often which Octavio besought him to do and told him he would take some care that for the good of Silvia's better part she should not be reduced by want of Necessaries for her Life and little Equipage to prostitute her self to vile inconstant Man he yet had so much respect for her and be sought Brilljard to come and take care of it with him and to intreat Silvia to accept of it from him and if it contributed to her future happiness he should be more pleas'd than to have possest her intirely You may imagine how this News pleas'd Silvia who trembling with fear every Moment had expected Brilljard's coming and found no other Benefit by his Negotiation but she must bear what she cannot avoid but 't was rather with the Fury of a Bacchanal than a Woman of common Sense and Prudence all about her pleaded some days in vain and she hated Brilljard for not doing impossibilities and it was sometime before he could bring her to permit him to speak to her or visit her Philander having left Octavio went immediately to wait on Cesario who was extreamly pleas'd to meet him there and they exchang'd their Souls to each other and all the Secrets of ' em After they had discours'd of all that they had a mind to hear and know on both sides Cesario inquir'd of him of Silvia's Health and Philander gave him an account of the uneasiness of her Temper and the occasions of their Quarrels in which Octavio had his part as being the subject of some of 'em From this he falls to give a Character of that Rival and came to this part of it where he had put himself into the Orders of the Bernardines resolving to leave the World and all its Charms and Temptations As they were speaking some Gentlemen who came to make their Court to the Prince finding 'em speaking of Octavio told them that to morrow he was to be initiated without the Years Tryal the Prince would needs go and see the Ceremony having heard so much of the Man and accordingly next day accompanied with the Governour Philander Thomaso and abundance of Persons of Quality and Officers he went to the great Church where were present all the Ladies of the Court and all that were in the Town The Noise of it was so great that Silvia all languishing and ill as she was would not be perswaded from going but so muffl'd in her Hoods as she was not to be known by any Never was any thing so magnificent as this Ceremony the Church was on no occasion so richly adorn'd Silvia chanc'd to be seated near the Prince of Michlenburgh who was then in
Bruxells and at the Ceremony sad as she was while the soft Musick was playing she discours'd to him tho' she knew him not of the business of the day He told her she was to see a Sight that ought to make her Sex less cruel a Man extreamly Beautiful and Young whose Fortune could command almost all the pleasures of the World yet for the Love of the most Amiable Creature in the World who has treated him with Rigor he abandons this Youth and Beauty to all the Severities of rigid Devotion This relation with a great deal he said of Octavio's Vertues and Bravery had like to have discovered her by putting her into a Swoon and she had much ado to support her self in her Seat I my self went among the rest to this Ceremony having in all the time I lived in Flanders never been so curious to see any such thing The Order of St. Bernard is one of the neatest of any of 'em and there is a Monastery of that Order which are oblig'd to be all Noble Mens Sons of which I have seen fifteen hundred at a time in one House all handsome and most of 'em Young their Habit adds a Grace to their Person for of all the Religious that is the most becoming Long white Vests of fine Cloth ty'd about with White Silk Sashes or Cord of White Silk over this a long Cloak without a Cape of the same fine white Broad-Cloth their Hair of a pretty Length as that of our Parsons in England and a White Beaver they have very fine Apartments fit for their quality and above all every one his Library They have Attendance and Equipage according to their Rank and have nothing of the Inconveniences and Slovenliness of some of the Religious but served in as good order as can be and they have nothing of the Monastick but the Name the Vow of Chastity and the Opportunity of gaining Heaven by the sweetest Retreat in the World fine House excellent Air and delicate Gardens Grotto's and Groves 'T was this Oader that Octavio had chosen as too delicate to undertake the Austerity of any other and in my opinion 't is here a Man may hope to become a Saint sooner than in any other more perplext with Want Cold and all the necessaries of Life which takes the thought too much from Heaven and afflicts it with the Cares of this World with Pain and too much Abstinence and I rather think 't is Necessity than Choice that makes a Man a Cordelier that may be a Iesuit or a Bernardine two the best of the Holy Orders But to return 't was upon a Thursday this Ceremony began and as I said there was never any thing beheld so fine as the Church that day was and all the Fathers that officiated at the High-Altar behind which a most magnificent Scene of Glory was opened with Clouds most rarely and Artificially set off behind which appear'd new onesmore bright and dazling till from one degree to another their lustre was hardly able to be look'd on and in which sat an hundred little Angels so rarely dress'd such shining Robes such Charming Faces such flowing bright Hair Crown'd with Roses of White and Red with such Artificial Wings as one would have said they had born the Body up in the Splendid Sky and these to soft Musick Tun 〈◊〉 soft Voices with such sweetness of Harmony that for my part I confess I thought my self no longer on Earth and sure there is nothing gives us an Idea of real Heaven like a Church all adorn'd with rare Pictures and the other Ornaments of it with what ever can Charm the Eyes and Musick and Voices to Ravish the Ear both which inspire the Soul with unresistable Devotion and I can Swear for my own part in those Moments a thousand times I have wish'd to Die so absolutely I have forgot the World and all its Vanities and fixt my thoughts on Heaven While this Musick continued and the Anthems were Singing Fifty Boys all in White bearing Silver Censers Cast Incense all round and perfum'd the Place with the richest and most agreeable Smells while two hundred Silver Lamps were burning about the Altar to give a greater Glory to the open'd Scene while other Boys strow'd Flowers upon the inlaid Pavement where the gay Victim was to tread for no Crowd of Gazers fill'd the empty Space but those that were Spectators were so placed as rather served to adorn than disorder the awful Ceremony where all were silent and as still as Death as awful as Mourners that attend the Hearse of some lov'd Monarch While we were thus listening the soft Musick playing and the Angels singing the whole Fraternity of the Order of St. Bernard came in two by two in very graceful Order and going up to the shining Altar whose Furniture that day was Embroidered with Diamonds Pearls and Stones of great Value they bow'd and retired to their Places into little gilded Stalls like our Knights of the Garter at Windsor After them fifty Boys that sang approach in order to the Altar bow'd and divided on each side they were dressed in white Cloth of Silver with golden Wings and rosy Chaplets After these the Bishop in his pontifick Robes set with Diamonds of great Price and his Mitre richly adorn'd ascended the Altar where after a short Anthem he turn'd to receive the young Devotee who was just entered the Church while all Eyes were fixed on him He was led or rather on each side attended with two young Noble-men his Relations and I never saw any thing more rich in Dress but that of Octavio exceeded all Imagination for the gayety and fineness of the Work It was white Cloth of Silver embroidered with Gold and Buttons of Diamonds lin'd with rich Cloth of Gold and Silver Flowers his Breeches of the same trim'd with a pale Pinck Garniture rich Linen and a white Plume in his white Hat His Hair which was long and black was that day in the finest order that could be imagined but for his Face and Eyes I am not able to describe the Charms that adorn'd 'em no Fancy no Imagination can paint the Beauties there He look'd indeed as if he were maid for Heaven no Mortal ever had such Grace He look'd methought as if the Gods of Love had met in Council to dress him up that day for everlasting Conquest for to his usual Beauties he seem'd to have the Addition of a thousand more he bore new Lustre in his Face and Eyes Smiles on his Cheeks and Dimples on his Lips He moved he trode with nobler Motions as if some supernatural Influence had took a peculiar Care of him Ten thousand Sighs from all sides were sent him as he passed along which mix'd with the soft Musick made such a murmuring as gentle Breezes moving yielding Boughs I am assured he won that day more Hearts without Design than ever he had gain'd with all his Toils of Love and Youth before when Industry assisted him to
the fair Youth and is ready to ask his Pardon for a Fault but imagin'd suffering by his silence the little Pratler to discourse and laugh at him at his pleasure Come said Silvia smiling I find the naming a Beauty to you has made you Melancholy possibly when you see her she will not appear so to you we do not always agree in one Object Your Iudgment reply'd Alonzo is too good to leave me any hope of Liberty at the sight of a fine Woman if she be like your self I read my destiny in your charming Face Silvia answered only with a Smile and calling again for Antonett he ask'd if his Sister were in a condition of being seen she told him she was not but all undrest and in her Night-clothes Nay then said Silvia I must use my Authority with her And leaving Alonzo trembling with Expectation she ran to her dressing Room where all things were ready and slipping off her Coat put on a rich Night-Gown and instead of her Peruke fine Night-Clothes and came forth to the Charm'd Alonzo who was not able to approach her she look'd with such a Majesty and so much dazling Beauty he knew her to be the same he had seen in the Toure She seeing he only gazed without Life or Motion approaching him gave him her Hand and cryed Sir possibly this is a more old acquaintance of yours than my Face At which he blush'd and bow'd but could not speak At last Silvia laughing out-right cryed Here Antonett bring me again my Peruke for I find I shall never be acquainted with Don Alonzo in Peticoats At this he blush'd a Thousand times more than before and no longer doubting but this Charmer and the lovely Youth were one he fell at her Feet and told her he was undone for she had made him give her so undisputable Proofs of his Dulness he could never hope she should allow him capable of eternally adoring her Rise cry'd Silvia smiling and believe you have not commited so great an Errour as you imagine the mistake has been often made and Persons of a great deal of Wit have been deceiv'd You may say what you please replyed Alonzo to put me in Countenance but I shall never forgive my self the Stupidity of that happy Night that laid me by the most glorious Beauty of the World and yet afforded me no kind Instinct to inform my Soul how much I was blest Oh pity a wretchedness Divine Maid that has no other excuse but that of Infatuation a thousand times my greedy ravish'd Eyes wander'd o're the dazling brightness of yours a thousand times I wish'd that Heaven had made you Woman and when I look'd I burnt but when I Kiss'd those soft those lovely Lips I durst not trust my Heart for every touch begot wild Thoughts about it which yet the Course of all my Fiery Youth through all the wild Debauches I had wandered had never yet betray'd me to and going to Bed with all this love and fear about me I made a solemn Oath not to approach you least so much Beauty had o'er-come my Vertue But by this new discovery you have given me a Flame I have no power nor virtue to oppose 't is just 't is natural to adore you and not to do it were yet a crime greater than my Sin of Dulness and since you have made me lose a Charming Friend it is but just I find a Mistriss give me but your permission to Love and I will give you all my life in Services and wait the rest I 'll watch and pray for coming happiness which I will buy at any price of Life or Fortune Well Sir replyed our easie fair One If you believe me worth a Conquest o're you convince me you can love for I 'm no common Beauty to be won with petty suddain Services and could you lay an Empire at my Feet I should dispise it where the Heart were wanting You may believe the Amorous Youth left no Argument to convince her in that point unsaid and 't is most certain they came to so good an understanding that he was not seen in Bruxells for eight days and nights after nor this rare Beauty for so long a time seen on the Toure or any publick Place Brilljard came every day to visit her and receive her commands as he us'd to do but was answer'd still that Silvia was Ill and kept her Chamber not suffering even her Domesticks to approach her This did not so well satisfy the Jealous Lover but he soon imagined the cause and was very much displeas'd at the ill Treatment if such a design had been carried on he desired to have the management of it and was angry that Silvia had not only deceived him in the promise he had made for her to Octavio but had done her own business without him he spoke some hard words so that to undeceive him she was forced to oblige Alonzo to appear at Court again which she had much ado to incline him to so absolutely she had Charm'd him however he went and she suffered Brilljard to visit her perswading that easie Lover as all Lovers are easie that it was only indisposition that hindered her of the happiness of seeing him and after having perfectly reconcil'd herself to him she ask'd him the news at Hermone's to whom I had forgot to tell you she sent every day a Page with a Complement and to let her know she was Ill or she would have waited on her She every day received the Complement from her again as an unknown Lady Brilljard told her that all things were now prepar'd and in a very short time they should go for France but that whatever the matter was Philander almost publickly disown'd the Prince's Interest and to some very considerable of the Party has given out he does not like the Proceedings and that he verily believed they would find themselves all mistaken and that instead of a Throne the Prince would meet a Scaffold so bold and open he has been Something of it has arriv'd to the Prince's Ear who was so far from believing it that he could hardly be perswaded to speak of it to him and when he did it was with an assurance before hand that he did not credit such reports So that he gives him not the pain to deny them For my part I am infinitely afraid he will disoblige the Prince one day for last night when the Prince desired him to get his Equipage ready and to make such Provision for you as was necessary he coldly told him he had a mind to go to Hungary which at that time was besieg'd by Solyman the Magnificent and that he had no inclination of returning to France this surpriz'd and angered the Prince but they parted good Friends at last and he has promised him all things So that I am very well assur'd he will send me where he supposes you still are and how shall we manage that affair Silvia who had more cunning and
it was prodigious to consider the unequal numbers and the advantage all on the Princes part it was miraculous to behold the order on his side and surprize on the other which of it self had been sufficient to have confounded them yet notwithstanding all this unpreparedness on this side and the watchfuluess and care on the other so well the General and Officers of the Royal Army managed their scanted Time so bravely disciplin'd and experienced the Souldiers were so resolute and brave and all so well mounted and armed that as I said to a Miracle they fought and 't was a Miracle they won the Field tho that fatal Night Cesario did in his own Person wonders and when his Horse was kill'd under him he took a Partizan and as a common Souldier at the head of his Foot acted the Hero with as much courage and bravery as ever Caesar himself could Boast Yet all this avail'd him nothing he saw himself abandoned on all sides and then under the Covert of the Night he retired from the Battle with his Sword in his hand with only one Page who fought by his side A thousand times he was about to fall on his own Sword and like Brutus have finish'd a life he could no longer sustain with Glory But Love that coward of the Mind and the Image of Divine Hermione as he esteemed her still gave him Love to life and while he could remember she yet lived to charm him he could even look with contempt on the loss of all his Glory at which if the repin'd it was for her sake who expected to behold him return cover'd o'er with Laurels in these sad thoughts he wandered as long as his wearied Legs would bear him into a low Forest far from the Camp where over-prest with Toil all over pain and a Royal Heart even breaking with Anxiety he laid him down under the shelter of a Tree and found but his length of Earth left to support him now who not many hours before beheld himself the greatest Monarch as he imagined in the World Oh who that had seen him thus which of his most mortal Enemies that had view'd the Royal Youth adorn'd with all the Charms of Beauty Heaven ever distributed to Man Born great and but now ador'd by all the crowding World with Hat and Knee now abandon by all but one kind trembling Boy weeping by his side while the Illustrious Hero lay Gazing with melancholy weeping Eyes at those Stars that had lately been so cruel to him Sighing out his great Soul to the Winds that whistled round his uncovered head breathing his Griefs as silently as the sad fatal Night past away Where nothing in nature seemed to pity him but the poor wretched Youth that kneeled by him and the sighing Air I say who that beheld this would not have scorn'd the World and all its fickle Worshipers have curst the Flatteries of vain Ambition and priz'd a Cottage far above a Throne a Garland wreath'd by some fair innocent hand before the restless Glories of a Crown Some Authors in the Relation of this Battle affirm That Philander quitted his Post as soon as the Charge was given and sheer'd off from that Wing he commanded but all Historians agree in this Point that if he did it was not for want of Courage for in a Thousand Incounters he has given sufficient proofs of as much Bravery as a Man can be capable of But he disliked the Cause disapproved of all their Pretenâ—ions and look'd upon the whole Affair and Proceeding to be most unjust and ungenerous And all the fault his greatest Enemies could charge him with was That he did not deal so gratefully with a Prince that loved him and trusted him and that he ought frankly to have told him he would not serve him in this Design and that it had been more Gallant to have quited him that way than this but there are so many Reasons to be given for this more Politick and safe Deceit than are needful in this place and 't is most certain as it is the most justifiable to Heaven and Man to one born a Subject of France and having Sworn Allegiance to his proper King to abandon any other Interest so let the Enemies of this great Man say what they please if a Man be oblig'd to be false to this or that Interest I think no body of common Honesty Sense and Honour will dispute which he ought to abandon and this is most certain that he did not forsake him because Fortune did so as this one Instance may make appear When Cesario was first Proclaimed King and had all the Reason in the World to believe that Fortune would have been wholly partial to him he offer'd Philander his choice of any Principality and Government in France and to have made him of the Order of Sanct Espréet all which he refused tho' he knew his great Fortune was lost and already distributed to Favourites at Court and himself Proscribed and Convicted as a Traytor to France Yet all these refusals did not open the Eyes of this credulous great young Man who still believed it the sullenness and Generosity of his Temper No sooner did the day discover to the World the horrid Business of the preceding Night but a diligent search was made among the infinite number of dead that covered the Face of the Earth for the Body of the Prince or New King as they called him But when they could not find him among the dead they sent out Parties all ways to search the Woods the Forests and the Plains nor was it long they sought in vain for he who had laid himself as I said under the shelter of a Tree had not for any consideration removed him but finding himself seiz'd by a common Hand suffered himself without Resistance to be detained by one single Man till more advanced when he could as easily have kill'd the Rustick as speak or move an Action so below the Character of this truly brave Man that there is no reason to be given to excuse this easie submission but this That he was Stupified with long Watching Grief and the Fatigues of his daily Toyl for so many Weeks before For 't is not to be imagin'd it was carelessness or little regard for Life for if it had been so he would doubtless have lost it Nobly with the Victory and never have retreated while there had been one Sword left advanced against him or if he had disdained the Enemy should have had the Advantage and Glory of so great a Conquest at least when his Sword had been yet left him he should have died like a Roman and have scorn'd to have added to the Triumph of the Enemy But Love had unman'd his great Soul and Hermione pleaded within for Life at any Price even that of all his Glory the thought of her alone blacken'd this last Scene of his Life and for which all his past Triumphs could never atone nor excuse Thus taken he
with which I 've nought to do but dully give a cold consenting affirmative but well considered vows from soft inclining hearts utter'd with love with joy with dear delight when Heaven is call'd to witness She is thy Wife Philander He is my Husband this is the match this Heaven designs and means how then oh how came I to miss Philander or he his Silvia Since I writ this which I design'd not an invective against Marrâ—age when I began but to inform thee of my being where you directed but since I writ this I say the House where I am is broken open with Warrants and Officers for me but being all undrest and ill the Officer has taken my Word for my appearance tomorrow it seems they saw me when I went from my Lodgings and pursued me haste to me for I shall need your Counsel To Silvia MY eternal joy my affliction is inexpressible at the news you send me of your being surpriz'd I am not able to wait on thee yet not being suffer'd to leave the Cabal I only borrow this minute to tell thee the sense of my Advocate in this case which was if thou shod'st be taken there was no way no Law to save thee from being ravisht from my arms but that of marrying thee to some body whom I can trust this we have often discours'd and thou hast often vow'd thou ' lt do any thing rather than kill me with a separation resolve then oh thou charmer of my Soul to do a deed that though the name wou'd fright thee only can preserve both thee and me it is and though it have no other terrour in it than the name I saint to speak it to marry Silvia yes thou must marry though thou art mine as fast as Heaven can make us yet thou must marry I 've pitch'd upon the property 't is Brilljard him I can only trust in this affair it is but joining hands no more my Silvia Brilljard's a Gentleman though a Cadet and may be supposed to pretend to so great a happiness and whose only crime is want of fortune he 's handsome too well made well bred and so much real esteem he has for me and I 've so oblig'd him that I 'm confident he 'll pretend no farther than to the honour of owning thee in Court I 'll tie him from it nay he dares not do 't I 'll trust him with my life but oh Silvia is more think of it and this night we will perform it there being no other way to keep Silvia eternally Philander's To Silvia NOw my adorable Silvia you have truly need of all that heroick bravery of mind I ever thought thee Mistriss of for Silvia coming from thee this morning and riding â—ull speed for Paris â— was met stopt and seiz'd for high Treason by the King's messengers and possibly may fall a sacrifice to the anger of an incens'd Monarch my Silvia bear this last shock of â—ate with a courage worthy thy great and glorious Soul 't is but a little separation Silvia and we shall one day meet again by Heaven I find no other sting in death but parting with my Silvia and every parting wou'd have been thâ— same I might have died by thy 〈◊〉 thou might'st have grown weary of thy Philander have lov'd another and have broke thy vows and tortur'd me to death these crueller ways but fate is kinder to me and I go blest with my Silvia's love for which Heaven may do much for her dear sake to recompence her faith a Maid so innocent and true to sacred love expect thâ— best my lovely dear the worst has this comfort in 't that I shall die my charming Silvia's Philander To Philander I 'LL only say thou dear supporter of â—y Soul that if Philander dies he shall not go to Heaven without his Silvia by Heaven and earth I swear 〈…〉 cannot live without thee nor 〈◊〉 thou die without thy Silvia To Silvia SEE see my adorable Angel what cares the powers above take of divine innocence true love and beauty oh see what they have done for their darling Silvia cou'd they do less Know my dear Maid that after being examined before the King I was found guilty enough to be committed to the Bastile from whence if I had gone I never had return'd but to my death but the Messenger into whose hands I was committed refusing other Guards being alone with me in my own Coach I resolv'd to kill if I cou'd no other way oblige him to favour my escape I tried with Gold before I shew'd my dagger and that prevail'd a way less criminal and I have taken sanctuary in a small Cottage near the Sea shore where I wait for Silvia and though my life depend upon my flight nay more the life of Silvia I cannot go without her dress your self then my dearest in your Boys cloaths and haste with Brilljard whither this Seaman will conduct thee whom I have hir'd to set us on some shore of safety bring what news you can learn of Cesario I wou'd not have him die poorly after all his mighty hopes nor be conducted to a scaffold with shouts of joy by that uncertain beast the Rabble who us'd to stop his Chariot wheels with fickle adorations whene're he look'd abroad by Heaven I pity him but Silvia's presence will chase away all thoughts but those of love from Philander I need not bid thee haste La Fin. Love Letters FROM A NOBLE MAN TO HIS SISTER Mixt With the HISTORY OF THEIR ADVENTURES The Second Part by the same Hand LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be sold by the Booksellers of London 1685. TO Lemuel Kingdon Esq SIR I Beg you will give me leave to express my gratitude in some measure for the favours I have receiv'd of you and to make an acknowledgment where I cannot pay a debt 'T is only what was long since design'd you when possibly it might have found something a better wellcome by its having made as then it must 〈◊〉 done a voyage to have kist your hands and might perhaps then have contributed in some small degree to 〈◊〉 diversion in a place where there is found so little In order to it I sent you the first part by one of your Officers of which this is a continuation But being oblig'd to lay it by for other more material business it has had the misfortune not to approach you till now and to which honour it has nothing to intitle it but that of bearing your Name before it which will put a value upon it to the World And since I never was of a nature to hord any good to my peculiar use 't is with great satisfaction I am by this short character of you distributing a blessing to that part of Mankind who have not that of knowing you For there is an unspeakable pow'r and pleasure in obliging and 't is a pain to the good nâ—tur'd to conceal any thing whose communication may gratify the world